Go, Fight, Win, Cheer: The Orange Bowl!

By Johnna Reynolds

This week I had to privilege to go to the Orange Bowl in Ira.  Just my term for both teams being orange. ! Rotan was the visiting team.  

I have to mention the Rotan cheerleaders have really impressed me. Upon visiting with their sponsor, I found out two of them are on the endangered list, again, my term for meaning they are injured.  Yes, my friends, cheerleading is a sport!  If you don’t stretch and warm up those muscles, you can get hurt.  Even though they are hurt, it did not keep them from showing their Hammer spirit!  These girls are loud and proud!  They keep a smile on their faces and they cheer the whole game. You know, it’s tough yelling for your team when they are down a few points. Not for these girls or the fans. They cheer proudly for their boys of fall!  I love it!

The Ira cheerleaders did a super job. They have a couple of girls that can tumble. That’s always a plus.  It adds to the excitement of a touchdown or running the boys on the field.  
They also did a stunt during regulation play.  I can appreciate a good stunt! That takes practice and lots of trust! Just ask the flier! She’s the one on top.

This is Breast Cancer Awareness month, these girls were sporting their pink T’s and their pink poms. Along with that, after yelling two bits, four bits...stand up and hollar, they threw shirts in the stands tied with Breast Cancer awareness ribbons. I tied to get a shirt. I came up short; however, after the game, one was hand delivered! A very sweet gesture by the Ira cheerleaders! Thank you guys so much!

Here’s my reminder to all you fans. It’s so easy to cheer for your team when your winning. What’s difficult is when your behind. Those players need to hear you. So support those cheerleaders whether you’re on the winning side or just a tad behind. I know they would appreciate you!  

Friends we are and friends we’ll always be; together we will cheer so faithfully. Cheerleaders we’ll always be til we meet again.