With first place and grand champion titles expected from most cheer competitions, seniors Lindsey Bolduc and Nikki Erickson bear the responsibility of maintaining the super squad’s reputation. The 25-cheerleader squad presents new challenges and hardships in addition to success on the competition floor.

“Lindsay [Bolduc] and Nikki [Erickson] are very strong senior leaders on our team,” coach Katie Mendenhall said. “Because we have such a large squad, their experience and dedication to the team and our performances is evident.”

The squad’s 2008-09 competition season has met with success on all fronts, due in part to Mendenhall’s restructuring of the team, but also due to the seniors’ leadership.

“Because of the squad’s size and different abilities, we [the cheerleaders] perform well together,” Bolduc said. “The large size and tumbling talent on the team this year help us in the competitions.”

As a four-year cheerleader, Bolduc has experienced many aspects of the sport and held several positions, from back to base. Also the only senior tumbler, Bolduc’s leadership skills earned her a captain’s spot on the team.

“Having a large team this year has been a challenge,” Bolduc said. “It is hard to unite 25 girls and have them all work together. It is a struggle to get everyone to cooperate and listen, but having the numbers helps a lot when we perform.”

Because of tension between the coaches about practices and competitions, Bolduc quit the team last year. However, after a meeting with Mendenhall and Principal Jon Endicott, she rejoined the award-winning squad after a week-long absence.

“Even though I have very strong feelings toward many people, I try to put them aside to solve my problems,” Bolduc said. “After having a meeting with my coach, I was able to see the other sides of our conflict and the effect my decision had on the whole squad. I do not believe quitting is ever acceptable because the consequences affect more than just you.”

While Bolduc dealt with conflict within the squad, Erickson’s test of dedication manifested itself in a serious injury during her sophomore year which affected the other cheerleaders.

“It was really difficult getting injured in the middle of the season and having to watch the team go on without me,” Erickson said. “I had to sit on the sidelines for the rest of the season. It was hard to catch up the next year on everything I had missed.”

After Erickson’s recovery and Bolduc’s sacrifice for the squad, the senior cheerleaders grew closer for their final year together.

“Our team is really close even though we have our differences,” Erickson said. “We share a close bond that comes from spending so much of our lives together as a team.”

Now in their final year, Bolduc and Erickson prepare to leave the squad behind and pursue life after high school. They recognize lessons learned from cheerleading and appreciate Mendenhall’s direction.

“After quitting and then rejoining, my love of cheer grew,” Bolduc said. “I believe our senior class gained a lot of experience and understanding from Katie [Mendenall]. My cheer career taught me that conflict or disagreement is not bad, but it must be handled in the right way.”

For another profile on current varsity cheerleaders, read Madison Dooley’s March 13, 2008, article, “Partnership determines squad success.” The complete competition schedule is listed on the cheer Web site. Those wanting to contact the cheer coach may do so using Katie Mendenall’s e-mail.

A complete coverage of cheer competitions and events are documented in the Dec. 18 article, GSSA names cheer grand champions, the Nov. 24 article, Cheer conquers FCC Capital Classic and the Nov. 13 article, Super squad secures USA Regional Competition victory.