Busy year ahead

Aledo’s Ladycat cheer squad is going through quite the overhaul for the 2023-24 athletic year. 

Beyond the change with the program officially being brought under the athletic department’s umbrella this season, the biggest change comes in the form of newly-minted squad head coach, Sarah Burk.

Prior to arriving in Aledo, Burk coached Birdville’s Lady Hawks cheer team last season. With the expansion of Aledo’s team this year, it was an opportunity too good for Burk to pass up.

“It was a great opportunity, since [Aledo] moved their cheer program under athletics, for me to get to come and grow a program,” she stated. “This year I’m able to make two competition teams instead of just one. We’ll be able to compete at different levels. 

"It will grow my freshmen girls, who were not able to participate in competitions in the past. It will give them an opportunity to grow so that once they are juniors or seniors they will have that experience. I’m hoping to get an opportunity to start working with the middle schools, as well, to share my vision for the program so we can be vertically aligned on things like competition and game day.”

In previous years, opportunities to compete during competition season was reserved for just the varsity squad. With this move, Burk will be able to take two squads to four of the five competitions to represent Aledo this year, starting in November.

The move from Birdville to Aledo isn’t the only adjustment the new skipper is getting used to. In her previous post, the only thing she had to navigate come competition time was the holiday schedule. 

Historically, that’s not the only thing going on around Aledo, though. November is still an extraordinarily busy time at AHS.

“One of my girls just asked me why we’re already learning choreography,” Burk said as she looks ahead on her team’s schedule. “That’s the reason why. We’re going to be managing quite a bit. This is my first year here in Aledo. I’m not used to the football team going all the way to state championships. I’m still wrapping my head around [cheering for football as cheer competition season begins]. That’s going to be new territory for me.”

While it is new territory for her, the new head coach is already getting some significant help from her veteran cheerleaders. Team captain Daniella Tregellas, co-captain Maryn Ward, and spirit officer Lilly Wilson have shared their experience with the bustling schedule as the team prepares for the season ahead.

“The girls have been very welcoming and enlightening me on all things Aledo,” Burk commended her squad during the transition. “They’re very intuitive about things I might not know about the community and getting me ready for football season. It’s been a blessing.”

The Ladycat cheer team will assume their gameday cheer duties with the varsity football season opener on Friday, Aug. 25 when Dallas Parish Episcopal comes to town. The squad's first taste of competition is still a few months away, slated for Nov. 18.