The Nebraska cheerleader enters the competition ALONE after all of her teammates called out at the last minute

A Nebraska high school cheerleader was forced to compete alone in a state tournament after her teammates all quit at the last minute “for personal reasons.”

Katrina Kohel, a Morrill High School senior, was determined to cheer alone despite the departure of the three other members of her cheer team late last month.

Coach April Ott told Kohel that she could still attend the three-day event even if she wouldn’t compete, but Kohel told her, “I want to go state and I’ll be cheering on my own.”

With just under two weeks until the competition, Kohel learned a new routine and performed her one-girl show at Nebraska State High School’s Cheer & Dance Championships on February 17.

Kohel’s rivals were so moved by her courage and determination that they came out to support her and she ended up receiving the biggest cheering of any competitor.

She also did well with the judges, who gave her a higher score than her team had achieved in the previous three appearances at the tournament.

Katrina Kohel, a Morrill High School senior, was determined to cheer alone, despite the three other members of her cheer team having to drop out for unknown reasons

Kohel takes a leap during her one-girl show during the Nebraska state contest

Kohel (pictured second from left) stands with her three other teammates and their coach

As she tossed her pompoms from side to side and jumped in the air, her overjoyed fans — including fans from other teams, her competitors, and her grandparents — were cheering while the rest of the family was in Omaha watching her twin brother compete in state wrestling tournament – ​​there was clapping and cheering in support.

Kohel appeared delighted at her performance, saying, “I probably had the loudest crowd participation there…everyone cheered with me and it was an amazing feeling.”

After their competition, the MHS Lions posted on Facebook how proud they were of their “job well done” and how they represented the team with “pride”.

‘She did! What an amazing routine! Thank you to each of our cheering friends, family and fans far and wide who packed the stands and cheered for Katrina!” they wrote.

“The crowd roared with callbacks to their chants and cheers! Her leaps flew through the air and her school spirit was contagious.’

Kohel and the team’s three other cheerleaders (pictured) perform a routine in December 2022

Kohel with her Morrill Lions coach, April Ott. Her last solo tournament appearance earned her “team” a higher score than in the last three competitions

Kohel seemed delighted with her performance, saying, “I probably had the loudest crowd participation there…everyone cheered with me and it was an amazing feeling.”

The competition was held at the Heartland Event Center and Kohel performed solo in the Game Day Class D competition. There were 115 teams in the cheer competition, ranging from four team members to 20 or more.

Kohel’s solo marked the first time a cheerleader had competed solo in a state competition, said Darin Boysen, executive director of the Nebraska Coaches Association.

Although the judges couldn’t rate her exercise as usual, they said they wanted to give her a chance to show her school spirit.

“I’m glad she was able to finish her season,” Boysen told the Omaha World Herald.

“What was very encouraging – as the news broke – was that a lot of teams were behind her and supporting her from the sidelines. So I think that was really special.’

Kohel was over the moon with all the messages she received telling her how “cool” it was that she competed alone. However, the teenager admitted he was super nervous and almost forgot about the dance moves, but the crowd helped ease some of those fears.

And even spoke up himself, saying, “Even if I mess this up, I’ll be fine. I’m doing this alone and no matter what happens, it’s going to be okay.

Kohel finished eighth of the twelve cheerleading teams in her division. The highest placing the Lions had achieved in the past three years.

Many shared how brave the young woman was to perform such a daring deed.

“Katrina, you have won the hearts of so many. Thank you for standing up this past year and becoming a courageous leader!” someone wrote.

“You learned so much and ended your final year with such a rewarding experience! You are a true champion!’

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk