Morton High School’s cheerleading team has been a part of this community for 100 years.
Morton’s cheerleaders perform at all home games. In many ways, cheerleading is the school’s toughest sport because the season lasts the longest — from June to February. When you commit to cheerleading, you commit to 6 competitions, and then every home game and homecoming assembly. According to coach Engebretsen, that’s “close to 40 to 45 performances.” During football season, the cheer team performs at every game — home and away games; during basketball season, the cheer team performs at all home games. Of course, all this doesn’t include practice sessions.
Morton cheerleaders pride themselves on fostering teamwork, dedication, and school spirit while striving for excellence in every performance. According to them, their goal is not only to support our sports teams but also to build lasting friendships and develop leadership skills among members.
Cheerleading coach Ashley Engebretsen shared some information about her cheerleading journey and experiences:
Q: What inspired you to pursue cheerleading?
A: What inspired me to coach cheerleading was my own experience as a cheerleader. I loved the energy, the teamwork, and the opportunity to support my school. Coaching allowed me to help others develop their skills and build strong team bonds.
Q: How do you oversee conflicts within a team?
A: Conflict is natural in any team, but it’s important to address issues early before they escalate. I always encouraged open communication and a culture of respect. Sometimes, it was about finding compromises, and other times, it was about reinforcing that personal differences should never affect our performance on the mat.
Q: How do you prioritize safety during practices and performances?
A: Safety is always the top priority. We followed strict progressions, meaning no one attempted to improve their skills before they were ready. Spotters were always in place when trying a new skill, and we drilled proper technique to prevent injuries. We also made sure athletes warmed up and stretched thoroughly to avoid strains. During performances, we set clear expectations about execution, ensuring that every stunt was stable and secure before adding difficulty.
Q: What injuries are most common in cheerleading and why?
A: The most common injuries in cheerleading are sprains and strains, especially in the ankles and wrists. Concussions can also happen if a flyer isn’t caught properly or a tumbler land incorrectly. Because cheer involves stunting, tumbling, and jumping, athletes are constantly putting stress on their joints, and without proper technique or conditioning, injuries can occur. That’s why conditioning, strength training, and proper spotting are so important.
Q: What types of competitions are there and when are they?
A: Cheerleading competitions vary based on the level and type of team. In high school cheer, there are invitational competitions, conference competitions, and state qualifiers. For example, the JV team had six competitions:
- Conference Competition – An event where teams compete against others in their athletic conference.
- ICCA Qualifier – A competition that determines if a team advances to the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association State Championship.
- ICCA State – A competition where qualifying teams from across Illinois compete.
- Joliet West Invitational – A local competition hosted by Joliet West High School, where teams perform and receive judges’ feedback.
- Fremd Invitational – Another invitational event held at Fremd High School, offering teams a chance to compete against strong programs.
- Crystal Lake Invitational – A competition hosted in Crystal Lake, providing additional experience and an opportunity to refine routines.
Q: What strategies do you use to motivate your teammates?
A: Motivation comes from setting goals and celebrating progress. I always emphasized that improvement, not perfection, was the key to success. Positive reinforcement was huge whether it was recognizing small wins in practice or hyping up a big performance. Team bonding was also essential; when athletes feel connected, they work harder for each other. I also encouraged them to visualize success, push past mental blocks, and remind themselves why they love the sport.
Go Morton Cheerleading Team!
