Morrill Excessive College cheerleader Katrina Kohel’s solo efficiency on the Nebraska State Excessive College Cheer & Dance Championships. Video courtesy Rhonda Kohel.
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.
Katrina Kohel completed eighth in her division on the state cheer and dance competitors. She had lower than two weeks to shine her solo efficiency.
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.
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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.
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.
Katrina Kohel stated competing alone was so nerve-racking that her thoughts went clean when she began her routine. Muscle reminiscence and the cheers of the group carried her by.
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.”
Katrina Kohel additionally competes in basketball, volleyball and observe.
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.”
Our greatest Omaha workers photographs & movies of February 2023
Snow nonetheless covers fields because the solar begins to set close to Wynot, Nebraska on Thursday.
Sutherland’s Grady Dempcy is launched earlier than he takes on David Metropolis Aquinas’s Grady Romshek for the Class D through the state last 106 pound match on Saturday.
Millard South’s Miles Anderson, left, walks away after pinning Lincoln East’s Joshua Shaner through the Class A state last 126 pound match on Saturday.
Omaha’s Ty Mueller will get a first-half shot previous Colorado School goalie Kaidan Mbereko’s left hand within the first interval to place UNO up 1-0 on Friday. Additionally on the play is Colorado School’s Noah Laba, high proper, and Nicklas Andrews, backside left.
Maria Sosa teaches a Folklórico class on the Hispanic Arts Heart inside the previous Heart Theater positioned at 3504 Heart Road on Tuesday.
A pedestrian crosses west on seventeenth Road at Douglas Road within the rain on Tuesday.
A pedestrian crosses east on thirteenth Road at Harney Road throughout a winter storm on Thursday.
Haley Quall, proper, and Lisa Mueller put together flower preparations for Valentine’s Day within the greenhouse at Janousek Florist in Omaha on Monday. The family-owned florist expects to have about 700 orders for the vacation.
Creighton’s Shereef Mitchell (4) walks off the court docket with head coach Greg McDermott following the UConn vs. Creighton males’s basketball recreation in Omaha on Saturday. Creighton gained the sport 56-53.
Victor Benjamin shapes clay in his hand as he works on a sculpture of Chief Massive Elk on the KANEKO on Wednesday.
Individuals watch as Victor Benjamin works on a sculpture of Chief Massive Elk on the KANEKO on Wednesday. It should finally be positioned on the newly renovated Lewis & Clark Touchdown at The RiverFront.
Victor Benjamin works on a sculpture of Chief Massive Elk on the KANEKO on Wednesday. It should finally be positioned on the newly renovated Lewis & Clark Touchdown at The RiverFront.
Creighton’s Lauren Jensen dribbles the ball within the first half in opposition to St. John’s on Saturday.
Creighton’s Morgan Maly and her workforce have fun a second-half three-point basket in opposition to St. John’s on Saturday.
Workers and prospects retrieve their belongings a day after they fled a Goal at 17810 West Heart Street after somebody walked in and began firing an assault rifle. Omaha police shot and killed the suspect.
Omaha Zoo CEO Luis Padilla publicizes an replace to the Hubbard Orangutan Forrest on Friday.
Sarah Nocita hugs her son, Michael Baker, as they transfer into a brand new place in northwest Omaha on Thursday. They had been tenants of the Legacy Crossing Flats earlier than being pressured to maneuver after the Metropolis of Omaha shut down the advanced in December.