Hill City Rangers have the spirit!

Ranger Pride — The Hill City cheerleaders took home first place in the stunting competition at Lakota Nation Invitational. The team is unique from other schools because it has a male cheerleader — the second in the school’s history. The Hill City cheerleading team is composed of, front row, left, Hanna Lesewski, Lexi Hanson and Matea Alexander; back row, left, Sydney Songstad, Katie Lewis, Tayden Welsch, Taylor French and Kaitlinn Verchio. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE]


By Carrie Moore

They’ve got spirit, yes, they do!
When fans are in the stands watching football or basketball, the lively and effervescent cheerleaders are the ones urging spectators to stand up and shout. They support their team no matter what, do flips and cartwheels in the name of their sport — all with a smile on their face.
The Hill City cheerleading team is composed of eight students: Taylor French, Kaitlinn Verchio, Hannah Lesewski, Sydney Songstad, Matea Alexander, Katie Lewis, Lexi Hanson and Tayden Welsch — Hill City’s second male cheerleader.
Over 80 percent of high schools in America have cheerleading squads. What may be more surprising is that 20 percent of those cheerleaders are male. And even more surprising, the tiny town of Hill City is part of that statistic. The first male cheerleader in Ranger history was on the squad in 2006 and 2007.
Welsch tried out for the squad two times before making the team this year. The first time he didn’t make it and he injured his leg the next year, leaving him unable to fulfill his cheer requirements. But as luck would have it, the third time was the charm. He received the second highest score during the tryouts and earned a spot on the team after the highest scoring girl moved away.
“I was so happy to make the squad after all my times trying out!” Welsch said. “I just felt so accomplished. My hard work finally paid off!”
For as long as he could remember, Welsch always wanted to be a cheerleader.
“I’ve always loved to dance and be in front of people,” he said.
For Welsch, the adrenaline rush is the best part about cheerleading.
“I love the feeling of being in front of people,” he said. “I love to perform, shout and dance. It’s such a rush.”
While many may find the role of male cheerleaders as weird, Welsch doesn’t see it that way, nor do his teammates.
“I think it makes us stronger,” said Matea Alexander, who took home the ‘Spirit Award’ at the Lakota Nation Invitational in December.
“We’re definitely more diverse than other teams,” Sydney Songstad said.
In fact, many famous actors, authors and politicians were all male cheerleaders. Michael Douglas, Jimmy Stewart and Samuel L. Jackson were all male cheerleaders.
Welsch hasn’t faced much opposition from his peers, either.
“When I was first on the team, some kids joked about it, but once they saw me at the games they stopped,” he said. “Everyone is pretty accepting — it’s awesome.”
Coach Kerry Britton said the same thing.
“Tayden is very well accepted and there haven't been any problems,” she said. “It’s such an attribute to our community and school.”