SPORTS WRAP
Whether you’re a veteran stage performer or a shy middle schooler, speech team is for you. I wish I had known that during my high school days, when I was a timid kid who was not keen on speaking in front of a class.
Instead, I got my trial by fire during the early days of covering Owatonna High School sports and emceeing welcome home ceremonies from state tournaments. Or when I was asked to be the speaker at a banquet or two.
A veteran of OHS theater productions, including a leading role in the magnificent run of Mamma Mia, Justice Moots, is out for her first year of speech after encouragement from friends, “Speech sounds interesting, but I don’t really want to do it on my own. That just seems like a lot to memorize. Then I found out there was a duo group,” said Moots.
Her partner is fellow sophomore Jaelyn Otte, who started in speech last season. “I enjoyed that I got to meet a lot of people. Last year the seniors were very welcoming and taught me how to do speeches.
“I’m blessed to not be scared of speaking in front of people. I do theater. So, I don’t have a fear of that,” said Moots.
Their humorous speech is an extension of their friendship, said Moots. “Honestly, it’s just nice to pretend to be her sister. I fell in love with it because it’s just so funny but yet there’s some soft-hearted moments in it.”
Seventh-grader Lydia Worden joined speech to improve herself. “I’m pretty shy and I thought speech might help me be less shy and talk to people more so I could make friends. And it really has helped.”
Her first meet left a positive impression. “Standing up there for the first time in front of everybody was really exhilarating. Because I don’t think I’ve ever done something like that before,” said Worden.
Worden’s humorous presentation is based on Shel Silverstein’s book Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book. “It’s like a vary warped version of an ABC book.”
Junior Vitaly Bauer does a humorous speech, a parody of James Bond – who admits he didn’t know much about. “I’ve actually never seen a spy movie in my life. I was given this speech and then I went home, and I watched James Bond,” said Bauer.
Cody McGaheran is in creative expression and wrote a story of a haunted bowling alley. “A lot of the stories that I do for speech I usually think of them at a very funny point. The one that I’m doing right now I thought of it while I was in the shower,” he said.
Senior Erin Baker prides herself on exploring many extra-curricular activities. “Speech was one of the top activities on my list. I’ve learned better public speaking skills from it and it’s helped with memorization. The discussion aspect of exploring new topics and going more in depth with them has been super fun,” said Baker.
OHS hosts the Big Nine Conference meet on March 13. State is April 25-26 at Shakopee High School.
Rah! Rah!
The cheer season is winding down with the end of winter sports. It’s been memorable for the OHS cheerleaders, from cheering for the football team at U.S. Bank Stadium to a historic season for girls’ basketball.
Sophomore Naysa Jacobson cheered for girls’ hoops. “It was really exciting to watch them win and just see how passionate they are. The energy is fun.” The Huskies went 22-6 and had a school-record tying 17-game winning streak.
Junior Gabby Maeyaert was also on the court for the girls and has always enjoyed watching basketball. “When you’re cheering, you’re right next to the game. You’re basically standing right next to the refs. You get to be right there when everything happens,” she said.
She explained the scene as the football team won their state quarterfinal game. “We were in overtime. We didn’t know if we were going to win or not. Knowing that we would go to The Bank after that was just really exciting. It was already a really all-over-the-place game. It was so cool. Cheering with all the players, and getting the videos out, and getting to hug your parents after,” she said.
Hannah Lempiainen, the lone senior on the winter squad, said, “It was cool getting to know that we cheered where the Vikings play, and the Vikings football cheerleaders also cheer. We prepared a lot of fun stunts and a lot of dances.”
Junior Georgia Schrom couldn’t agree more. “Getting to feel that environment. The student section got super involved. Everyone came together and it was just a really exciting moment.”
Brook Hagel, a junior, added, “It was so exciting. Because it was my dream ever since I joined high school cheerleading to make it to The Bank.”
She says cheering for boys’ basketball offers a different environment. “I would say it’s louder because you’re in a smaller space than for football. Obviously, you have a huge student section for football. I do like the atmosphere of basketball a little more.”
Schrom cheered for boys’ hockey where the fans and hockey moms participate with the chants and cheers. “I really enjoy the sport of hockey. I’ve been around it for a lot of my life. I enjoy the environment. I enjoy the game. I enjoy watching the hockey fights, how excited they get, checking each into the boards,” said Hagel.
Hagel was in competition cheer before joining the high school program. “I was part of the first team that went to Quest for Florida.”
Jacobson got her start on the comp team. She invites others to try out for the high school squad. “It’s really fun. For experience, there’s not too much because there’s a wide variety of different tumblers and different skill sets. I would just try it.”
Maeyaert was inspired by watching cheerleaders in movies to try out. “Over the years, I’ve met so many of my closest friends and I really enjoy being around everybody.”
Lempiainen cherishes her time in cheer. “The community we have. I feel like a lot of these girls I might not have been able to meet without the circumstances of cheer. So, I feel very lucky to know everyone.”
Find the full interviews with these students on OwatonnaLive.com.