Two boys join cheer team for first time in school history

Walking into the gym on April 8, junior Johnny Peguero felt the pressure. He did not “want to fail.” One standing back tuck, roundoff back handspring and dance later, Peguero walked out feeling as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Cheer tryouts were over, and the wait began. An hour later, after receiving a call from a fellow teammate sophomore Kaylin Huttie, he got the news: he had made the varsity cheer team.

“I think I might have blown my mom’s ear drums,” Peguero said.

Originally a male sport, cheer has evolved into a traditionally female sport at the high school level. According to the news website wgntv.com, as of 2014, 97 percent of high school cheerleaders were female. It wasn’t until this year, when the team welcomed two males, that this stereotype was broken within the cheer team at Southwest.

“I think this is the first time that boys have joined the squad because the social stigma that cheerleading is a ‘girls sport’ is beginning to lift,” coach Morgan Styer said. “I find this stigma to be hilarious though because it was actually a group of men who formed the very first cheerleading squad.”

Team members, such as senior Mallory Reasoner, who have previously cheered coed, have welcomed Peguero and sophomore Royce Ferneau with no hesitations.

“It doesn’t really phase any of us that much because they want to be there for the same reasons as us,” Reasoner said.

Despite their apprehensions about being the only males on the team, both Peguero and Ferneau have found that they have been accepted into the team. In addition, the boys have opened up the team to new possibilities, such as new routines with coed stunts and competing in coed competitions. Not only is their presence changing the structure of the cheer program, but their personalities contribute to a new demeanor within the team.

“They both bring so much to the table, such as hard work ethic, humor and fun, that I don’t believe the squad would be the same without them,” Styer said. “They are also helping to keep the vibes at practice positive and humorous. Johnny even received a special award at camp called ‘Pin It Forward’ in which the staff at camp handpicked individuals who were displaying a positive attitude and great leadership skills.”

Having previously cheered with Kansas Gymnastics and Cheer freshman year, Peguero said he is excited to explore cheer in a new perspective while surrounding himself with a new and unique group of people. He has expressed his appreciation for the coaches and the effort they have put into getting to know him as not only an athlete, but also as a person.

“It’s the most amazing experience I’ve had,” Peguero said. “Cheer to me is just an amazing skill, spirit and experience.”

While Peguero joined because of his past experiences with cheer, Ferneau said he joined to stay in shape and dance. They both agree there is something for everyone in cheer, whether it’s involvement, relationships, fitness or personal enjoyment. Ferneau credits teamwork with bringing everyone together.

“To me, cheer means teamwork and friendship,” Ferneau said. “Cheer is not a one-man sport. If you don’t have any teamwork, then you’re a team gone wrong. You need to work together and make it through the routine.”

With the addition of Ferneau and Peguero, Southwest sports have the opportunity to become more diverse, whether it’s another boy wanting to cheer or another girl going out for wrestling.

“I really hope that Johnny and Royce inspire others to follow their passions as they did and not be scared of the social stigmas that exist in this world,” Styer said. “I believe everybody should be able to do what they love no matter what and I believe that they should be loved and supported just the same.”