EPHS cheer team rising to new heights

It’s more than pom-poms. Varsity cheer is a unique blend of athleticism, teamwork, and school spirit.

Beyond their enthusiastic cheers and chants, Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) cheerleader athletes master tumbling, acrobatics, and dance routines. Their performances demand strength, flexibility, and precision, as they execute breathtaking stunts, all while energizing the crowd.

Teamwork is the foundation of varsity cheerleading. Trust among team members is paramount as they rely on each other to execute complex routines safely. EPHS cheer head coach Valerie Song said, “This sport is truly a team sport, as when you stunt you can’t do it with one person missing. This sport truly is about trust and honesty.”

This year, the EPHS cheer team consists of 9^th-12^th graders. According to Song, a third of the team are 9^th graders, and about half are new to cheer this year.

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While the EPHS cheer team is a sideline team, they also train and prep a routine for the Homecoming game and Pep Fest each year. Coach Song stresses, “What a lot of people don’t understand is these girls train just as hard and long as any other sport.”

This year’s cheer team hosted its first annual cheer clinic for younger kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. The team plans to hold future clinics to help the EP community learn more about the sport and how to be a part of the team. You can follow the team on Instagram at @epcheerteam.