Morrill High School cheerleader competes as a single member team

MORRILL, Neb. -- A Morrill High School cheerleader showed her never-give-up spirit recently, finishing the state competition as a one-person team.

Katrina Kohel, a senior and a cheerleader for Morrill High School, learned that while cheerleading is a team sport, it shows grit to go alone when needed. After her team could not attend the state competition, she represented her school in the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance competition in Grand Island. 

Her coach, April Ott, said the team fell apart through a course of different issues within a few weeks of competition. Initially, Ott and the team thought the season was finished. Kohel, however, wanted to finish her senior year on top... even if she had to go alone.

The state officials were contacted and Kohel and Ott learned there is no minimum number for a cheer squad, and Kohel decided to take on the challenge.

"We had two weeks, so we revamped," Ott said February 20.

On Friday, February 17, Kohel's one person team took part in the competition with the crowd support of other teams in the arena. 

Ott said Kohel is not typically a team leader.

"I'm so proud of her, how she represented herself, her team," Ott said.

Following her performance, she traveled with her grandparents to watch her twin brother compete in State wrestling.

Kohel is also the lone senior on the girls basketball team.