By Shelby Townsend
Sports Editor
The Pioneer kickline squad has been around since 2010, but until recently, it was just considered a club. Last year, they became an official spirit team along with the dance team and cheerleading squad, but the newcomers are facing some challenges as they try to expand their team.
Currently, the team does not have an official coach. Katelin Townsend, who is also the head cheerleading coach and a success coach, is voluntarily serving as a temporary advisor to the team, and is looking for volunteers to fill the coaching position. The team’s two captains, Fallon Boyle and Erica Bergen, are in charge of running the team.
“We choreograph our own dances and organize everything we do,” Boyle, a senior public relations major, said.
“Our biggest challenge is definitely not having a coach as it is hard to run every aspect of the team while being a full time student,” Bergen, a junior arts management major, said.
Kickline, cheer and dance are three separate spirit teams, which became an official part of Post athletics in 2014. According to Boyle, kickline is different because they incorporate three different aspects in their performances: dance, pom, which is similar to some cheerleading routines, and kickline.
“Kickline is definitely unique,” Boyle said. “We always have one long kickline that is visually pleasing to watch. Think of the Rockettes. That’s exactly what we do.”
The team performs during football halftime shows and basketball games as well as some school events like Midnight Madness and Relay for Life.
Kickline held official tryouts on Jan. 22 and is still looking to expand. They currently have six active members, but are looking to build a team of 12 members. Along with practicing new routines, the girls have been working to build campus awareness of the team and have created accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @liupostkickline.
Boyle said that being a part of the team has been a great experience because not only has she met new friends, but it is great to be a part of a spirit team and cheer-on other Pioneer athletes.
“I’ve been dancing since I was little so to be able to continue in college is an amazing experience,” Boyle said.
According to Bergen, they plan on holding another tryout session at the end of the semester or over the summer to build their fall team.
Be First to Comment