BRAINERD — The Brainerd Warriors will have a junior varsity program for the second time in two years.
Brainerd said the team’s student-athletes have jumped from 11 to 22, with all but two in 10th grade or younger.
Thanks to the youth movement, the Warriors are focused on the future and will continue to grow the program through annual camps and a middle school program that produces future cheer team members.
“It’s very exciting to have a joint team again,” Warriors head coach Carissa Urnes said. “Our varsity team will compete in the varsity small non-tumble division and the varsity small gameday non-tumble. Our junior varsity team will compete in the JV non-tumble.”
Brainerd returns eight veteran varsity players, along with five freshmen members of the varsity team. Nine student-athletes will be enrolled on the junior varsity team.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“We started a middle school program last year for students in grades five through eight,” Urnes said. “Most of them are fifth and sixth graders because they can’t be on a high school team until they’re in seventh grade. When we start this program, which runs from September to December, fifth and sixth graders come to cheer. become interested.
“I also think that continuing to hold fall homecoming camps for kindergarten through eighth grade students, followed by spring camps for the same age groups, is what keeps kids interested.This season. Many of the children enrolled in the program were in middle school programs.
Last season, Brainerd placed third in the varsity small non-tumble division at the state tournament. Although they would like to improve their standings, the Warriors have decided not to challenge the Nationals this season. Urnes said the goal is to strengthen for next season.
“We decided not to try for nationals this year so we were able to have a few seventh graders on the varsity team,” Urnes said. “You have to be in grades eight through 12 to get to the national level. There’s one senior among the 13 on my varsity team, so I’m going to use this year to grow. Next year I’ll be at the national level.” We want to participate in the tournament, so we want to make this year a year of growth. We want to prepare well for the future.”
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
This is the eighth season for Urnes and the program. Cass Duiker moved from assistant coach to choreography coach. This year will be the 6th season. Brainerd added Alex Dominguez and Abby Schuler as assistant coaches. Schuler was a member of last year’s team. Raya Unger is a volunteer assistant coach.
The increased number of athletes gives the Warriors more flexibility in their routines.
“It’s more than what we’re used to,” Urnes said. “Last year we ended up having 11 student-athletes on the varsity team. What’s great is that we have three stunt groups on the varsity team, and each one is at a slightly different level, but it’s a great way to get to the level you want. It’s great because we’re helping each other.
“We also do some stunt skills in the middle school program, but we are grateful to be able to run the program almost year-round. We have trial sessions in May. We run summer programs through community education, We start in August and in doing so we build skills that hinder growth.In a typical sports season, you can’t teach a group of four people to do a stunt by the end of January.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Urnes said Brainerd’s game-day cheer is set. This fall, the Warriors have been able to practice during games. She said fall prevention routines are behind schedule.
Unless you add, “There are several reasons for that.” “There are five rookies on the national team, so I teach them how to cheer, do stunts, and jump.I also want to thank my national team for the great effort they put into sideline cheer in the fall. They really enjoyed cheering at the football games this fall. The presence of enthusiastic fans and students was phenomenal. We had extra support and sideline material. We’ve put in a lot of time, so that takes away from our competitiveness.”
Urnes said Brainerd completed the non-fall routine for the first time on Monday, nonstop. Brainerd’s first meet is Saturday, Nov. 9.
“We all looked at each other after work and said we’re ready,” Urnes said. “It wasn’t the best. I thought things could have been worse because we all feel like we’re behind. We also feel like we can get where we need to get. Their skill level isn’t at normal levels at this point in the season, but again, we don’t expect this to be the top. We’ll use this as a construction year for two more. , we have the potential to be together for three years, so we’re starting with the basics of building a team.”
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
This season’s varsity members are senior Layne Wegscheid, junior captain Isabel Bednarek, sophomore Cadence Dominguez, captain Indigo Elstrom-Stevens, and freshmen Jocelyn Niesen and Mya Schneider. , Regan Hoge-Twardy, Savannah Bowling, Sydney Wahlstrom, and eighth grader Clover Ellstrom-Stevens. and seventh-graders Ariahanna Francis, Maddie Dahlquist and Sophia Sharon. Seventh-grader Bryn Mongeon will be making the jump from junior varsity to varsity and going through her game day routine.
“When you go into a game, you always want to win,” Urnes said. Be happy with what you put out on the mat. My goal at state this year is to finish in the top three in both categories. It just sets us up to be even better next year. ”
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
JEREMY MILLSOP can be reached at 218-855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.
kelly humphrey
Head Coach: Carissa Urnes (8th year)
Assistant coaches: Alex Dominguez (1st year), Abby Schuler (1st year), Raya Unger (1st year, volunteer)
Choreography Coach: Kath Duiker (6th year)
Captain: Indigo Elstrom Stevens, Isabel Bednarek
Junior Varsity Leaders: Journey Lovaldo, Riley King.
2023 finish: 3rd place in small non-tumble
Senior: Rain Wekscheidt
Junior: Isabel Bednarek
Sophomores: Cadence Dominguez, Indigo Elstrom Stevens
Freshmen: Jocelyn Niesen, Maia Schneider, Regan Hoge-Twardy, Savannah Bowling, Sydney Wahlstrom.
8th grade: Clover Elstrom-Stevens, Anna Fischer, Macy Grossman, Laeliana Battle.
7th grade: Ariahanna Francis, Maddie Dahlquist, Sophia Sharon, Brielle Paul, Bryn Mongeon, Chloe Voss, Jurnee Lovaldo, Riley King, Zadie Ball.
Saturday, November 9th: Minnesota Jets Invitational at Big Lake
November 16th: At the Eastview Competition
Nov. 23: Warrior Cheer Showcase at Brainerd High School 12:30 p.m.
December 21st. St. Michael Albertville Frost Fest
January 11: Tonka Freeze Invitational in Minnetonka.
January 18: Invitation to White Bear Lake
January 25th: Maple Lake Invitational
January 26th: Invitation to Maple Grove
January 31st – February 2nd: Minnesota State Tournament
