Tribe Cheer Squad's Public Rehearsal this Evening
By Jeff Toquinto on November 06, 2025
For the past two years, Bridgeport High School’s cheerleading squad had to ask the questions “what, if anything, could we have done differently?”
The question came up, and not just because the Indians failed to make it to the state event. Instead, the Indians in 2023 and 2024 found 
themselves finishing in third place by the slimmest of margins on the regional judges’ scorecards.
themselves finishing in third place by the slimmest of margins on the regional judges’ scorecards.
In cheer, third place means you have just missed qualifying. The state cheerleading championship, back in Charleston, takes the top two teams from each region.
Bridgeport will be taking part in the regional competition this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lincoln High School. However, on Thursday, the Tribe will be hosting their public rehearsal at Bridgeport High School. The event is also at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
“We’ll let everyone in right at 7 p.m. We’ll start about 7:10 p.m. after everyone gets settled,” said Hathaway. “After that, we’ll go about 10 to 15 minutes.”
The short display is for two reasons. First, they want it to emulate the scenario of the regional competition. Second, they will practice as soon as the rehearsal is complete.
Those on hand will see the two components that the cheer squad will be judged on at the regional and, hopefully for the BHS faithful, at
the states.
the states.
The first part is a technical cheer. It needs to be between 30 and 40 seconds. That will be followed by the music, or dance, routine. It can be no longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
“They’re excited and I think they could feel the anticipation after the East Fairmont event (Click HERE for that). The open house is fun because it is all friends, family, teachers, community members, and supporters of our program,” Hathaway said. “We hope to see a lot of people there, and not just for support. A large and loud crowd helps prepare us for a large and loud crowd we’ll see this weekend at Lincoln.”
Typically, entry would be made through the cafeteria doors, but there is a banquet taking place so those doors will be closed. Hathaway said entry will be made through the doors behind the school on the back left corner of the building. She said it will be noticeable with balloons.
Members of this year’s team include a trio of seniors and four juniors. The seniors are Nhya Knepper, Bailey Root, and Lilly Wolfe. This year’s juniors are Gabby Horne, Ansley Leach, Camille Miller, and Tayla Pitsenbarger.
Sophomores for the 2025-26 year are Scarlett Edgell and Daphne Taylor with the freshman class being the largest with five members. First-year cheerleaders include Ashlynn Miller, Liam Paulsen, Skyla Reider, Nina Spatafore, and Addy Willis.
