Last month, the Big Lake Cheerleaders participated in a virtual national competition. Their varsity team took third place and their Varsity Gameday team took seventh. 

One of the team’s coaches, Derek Nelson, happily voiced his pride for the team. He said the athletes worked hard this year to improve their performances during a crazy year.

“For the last few years, [the athletes] have qualified for nationals, but this year they were able to place.”

Nelson says COVID-19 is part of the reason for this. The virus made things challenging for teams across the nation. But Big Lake’s cheerleaders were tenacious this season, with the team putting in extra time with virtual practices and improving their individual skills, even with the long pause the students had to take in November and December due to rising COVID-19 cases. 

Next Season

Last year, 58 students participated in the cheerleading program, and Nelson expects the team to grow again this year. 

An informational meeting for potential new athletes will be held May 28, and tryouts will be held the week before Spud Fest. 

“Seven seniors are graduating this year,” Nelson said. 

There’s great opportunity for the underclassmen athletes to step it up again next year and bring the team to nationals once again.

“Lots of programs suffered because of COVID,” Nelson said. “Many teams are going to come back strong.”

Nelson and the other coaches are hoping for a lot of interest in the program again this year, so they can field another amazing team next year.

For more information about the team, the informational session, and tryouts, Big Lake students can contact Cheerleading@BigLakeSchools.org

Spud Fest Talent Show

The cheerleading booster club is very important to the team’s success. It helps ensure all the students are able to participate, regardless of economic background. This year, the athletes will be sponsoring the Spud Fest talent show in order to raise money for the team. Students and adults alike are invited to participate and help the team. The talent show will take place June 24. For more information, go to www.BigLakeSpudFest.com.

The team is also excited to bring back their successful Taste of Terror Haunted House this September. Last year, the first annual haunted house event was a big success, with the team setting up one of the 4H buildings at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds to truly terrify patrons. The haunted house featured a spooky maze with changing layout, as well as a mad chase by a crazy clown. Food trucks and concessions were also available. This year, the team plans to host Taste of Terror for two weekends, rather than just the one.

The students are sure to outdo themselves this year, and will likely bring the same enthusiasm and spirit to the Spud Fest Talent Show.