By Tim Wester
Sports Correspondent
Last fall, Waterford cheerleading coach Ryan Smith agonized in her decision to step down as coach to accommodate her other job.
After all, Smith had built a program that had just five cheerleaders into a squad that made it to the state championship just two years ago and saw the potential for her team return this season.
Fortunately for Waterford, the stars aligned and Smith was able to return as head coach last November.
From there, the Wolverines slowly built momentum as a team and eventually finished second at the Wisconsin Association of Cheer/Pom Coaches Southern Regional and qualified for the state tournament, which took place February 22 in Madison.
The Wolverines went on to finish second in the small varsity division 2 at the state tournament, which was the highest finish in school history.
“It was a pretty good accomplishment to qualify for state when the school has only been there twice now,” Smith said. “Especially to come with second place, which was the best in school history.”
The rewarding finish put the final touches on an exciting journey for Smith and the team.
“I actually had to resign as coach last fall,” Smith said. “It was definitely very hard to leave knowing I had pushed myself to help build the program, but I stayed in touch with the kids and then switched my job back and when the coach who had taken over resigned, I was able to get back in.”
Although the Wolverine cheerleaders certainly were excited to get their coach back in time to make a run for the state championship, they had to put in extra time on weekends just to catch up to Smith’s direction.
“Each competition we got better and by the Cardinal Classic, we won with the highest score in the competition,” Smith said. “They put in extra practices and worked hard on weekends to play catch-up, but they had the drive and motivation to do it and earn respect of the school and community,” Smith said. It’s always hard in cheerleading to get the recognition and play catch-up to all those other teams. But they made it happen and committed themselves.”
Leading the charge for the Wolverines resurgence was senior captain Kathryn Fiorita. The 4-year member of the team was part of the school’s first qualifying team and now the school’s most successful team this year.”
“Kathryn has been with me all four years and started as frosh,” Smith said. “She is a leader and motivator of the team and will be dearly missed.
The underclassmen are led by junior co-captain Rachel Weber, who will be likely be a team leader next season. Other teammates include Abbigael Ostrowski, Briara Braun, Mychaela Danek, Cambree Ney, Heather Fillafer, Katie Buchholtz, Sarah Andresen, Samantha Blank, and Destiny Rogers.
With only one senior on the team this year, we have a bright future next year,” Smith said. “I think the program has turned the corner from if we go to state to when we go to state.
Smith added, “I definitely see a state championship in our future. It’s an exciting time for the program.”
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