When Morrill Excessive College coach April Ott broke the information to Katrina Kohel that she was the one one left on the cheer squad, she promised her that even when she couldn’t compete on the state match, they might nonetheless take pleasure in the entire expertise.

They’d get enjoyable espresso drinks, watch the greater than 2,700 ladies and 225 groups compete within the three-day cheer and dance competitors in Grand Island and simply have an excellent time.

However Kohel, the lone senior on what had been a squad of 4, had different concepts. After speaking it over along with her mother, Della, she determined she had nothing to lose.

“I wish to go to state, and I’ll cheer on my own,” she advised her coach.

And that’s what she did.

One-and-a-half weeks earlier than state, after three freshmen stop for private causes, Ott and Kohel reworked the Lions’ routine right into a one-girl present.

Then Kohel stood within the Heartland Occasion Heart all by herself on Feb. 17 and carried out solo within the Recreation Day Class D competitors.

That’s when one thing outstanding occurred.

Kohel had anticipated to have just a few followers in her part throughout her routine — her grandparents represented the household whereas everybody else traveled to Omaha to look at her twin, Daniel, compete within the state wrestling match.

As a substitute, her part was filled with rivals and followers from different groups. Actually, the entire area grew to become a part of Group Kohel.

“I most likely had the loudest crowd involvement there,” Kohel stated. “All people was cheering with me, and it was an incredible feeling.”

Darin Boysen, govt director of the Nebraska Coaches Affiliation, stated it was the primary time {that a} cheerleader had competed by herself at state. The remainder of the 115 groups within the cheer competitors different in measurement from 4 to twenty or extra ladies.

Judges weren’t in a position to give her the identical scoring alternatives as an entire workforce would have had, however he stated they needed to provide her the prospect she so desperately needed.

“I’m glad she was in a position to end her season,” he stated. “What was very encouraging — because the phrase unfold — was quite a lot of groups obtained behind her and supported her from the sidelines. So I believe that was actually particular.”

Kohel stated she’d been getting texts earlier than state from different groups in western Nebraska, telling her how cool they thought her determination was to compete alone. However when she obtained to Grand Island, she discovered the entire solo expertise nerve-racking.

Her thoughts went clean as she began competing, she stated, and she or he needed to depend on muscle reminiscence to hold her by her routine. Someway, the cheers of the group helped calm her down.

“They will help me and cheer me on,” she remembers considering. “Even when I mess this entire factor up, I might be OK. I’m doing this on my own and it doesn’t matter what, it’s going to be OK.”

Kohel ended up eighth out of the 12 squads in her division. It was the very best the Lions had positioned up to now three years.

Ott stated it was an incredible and great expertise. Kohel, normally extra a follower than a frontrunner, had stepped up this 12 months and taught the newcomers the ropes. She was an excellent teammate and a optimistic function mannequin.

“She’s in there one hundred pc,” Ott stated. “You by no means hear any complaints or excuses.”

Observe and area is subsequent for Kohel, who competes within the excessive leap and 400 meters. She additionally performed volleyball and basketball. Subsequent 12 months, she’ll go to the College of Nebraska at Kearney to check nursing. She then plans to affix the U.S. Air Power.

As a substitute of a disappointing ending to her lifelong cheerleading goals, Kohel stated she has a reminiscence she’ll cherish without end.

“I really feel actually pleased with myself for figuring out I can do it and never giving up,” she stated. “Simply getting it accomplished.”