As sophomore Ryan Reed walks out onto the mat he is hit with nervousness before he performs at the cheer team’s first competition of the year. Cheer competed at Fayetteville High School Oct. 27.

“I was really nervous at first,” said Reed. “After I performed it was a good feeling knowing I did everything I could do.”

The cheer squad competed in the co-ed division against Van Buren. They got first place in that division and tied for second overall.

“I think we did really good for our first competition,” said senior Ashley Wiedenhoft. “It was only our first one, our first experience and everyone did really well.”

Cheer practiced at 6:30 a.m and during 5th period. They also had a dress rehearsal the Thursday before competition for their family and friends. Coach Chantelle Rateliff only decided to compete co-ed the week of competition.

“Early in the week of competition a situation occurred that I had to modify and adjust for, and because of his skill set bringing Ryan in was the best decision given it was the week of competition,” said Coach Rateliff.

Some members of the cheer squad had already competed co-ed before, so it wasn’t much of a difference.

“I’m used to competing co-ed with my all-star team,” said senior Alexiss Scott.

In future competitions the cheer squad will no longer compete in the co-ed division. They will go back to competing all-girl.

“It’s difficult for me to justify competing co-ed with one boy when other teams compete with five or more for example,” said Coach Rateliff.

With their next competition Nov. 10 in Pea Ridge the squad is preparing by adding difficult to their routine.

“We are adding difficulty because we know we can execute our routine now and if we add difficulty we could score higher,” said Scott.