Serious spirit at West Delaware

Hawk students are wowing the crowds at cross country meets, volleyball and football games.

On Friday nights, parents and students help pump up the football players with their enthusiasm.

'In past years I haven't noticed anything from the stands, but so far this season I'm very aware of our crowd,” football coach Doug Winkowitsch said. 'I'm wowed every Friday night by their energy.”

Even in 40 degree weather, students come to games to show their support.

A group of six senior boys came to the Maquoketa game dressed in their version of Hawk support. Sporting white short shorts and tie-dye cat T-shirts, Ty Cassutt, Joel Ott, Jordan Nolz, Brendon Shaw, Harrison Guetzko and Logan Reilly put a different spin on football game attire.

Senior girls and cheerleaders also work to get everyone involved at football games. They count down chants and lead the student section in cheers. Some seniors have even marched to the back of the bleachers to get even the quietest freshmen to join in on the cheers.

Cheerleaders also gather in front of the student section to help spread the noise. Fans can be seen throwing in dance moves like the 'Cupid Shuffle” and 'Cha Cha Slide” during halftime to maintain energy.

At games, one senior gets to run the WD flag in front of the crowd after every home touchdown. Applause, screams and whistles explode from fans as the stream of orange and black races past the bleachers.

'That positive atmosphere created by the crowd is something the players can feed off of,” assistant coach Chad Osler said.

There is no shortage of enthusiasm at volleyball games. A sea of white filled the bleachers at West Delaware's game against Maquoketa. Fans cheered and even lead a human roller coaster to build excitement for the game.

According to senior Austin Bishop, getting everyone involved is big task.

'You have to be enthusiastic, have a ‘do it to it' attitude and you've got to be loud and proud to get the crowd going,” Bishop said.

Bishop and many other students are choosing to go all out for the games. At Tuesday's game against the Bobcats, some students wore plaid, denim and cowboy hats to create a western theme throughout the crowd.

Coaches and players welcome the crowd's excitement.

'The student section brings a lot of energy to the gymnasium and helps our volleyball team to play at a high level,” said volleyball coach Brett Mather.

Sophomore Anna Thole and junior Mariah Kleitsch agreed it helps them to get even more excited to play.

'I love that everyone gets excited for every serve and point we score,” Kleitsch said. 'Their excitement lasts right to the end.”

Cross country runners also receive support from their classmates. Fellow runners brought signs to help push team members on at what some consider the toughest race - at Cascade. Posters reading 'The faster you run, the sooner you're done” helped the runners to strive to the finish.

Support was shown for the cross country team at their Run-A-Thon, as well. Not only did community members donate to the cause, some students and staff members came to the 12-hour running event to run or hangout with the team.

'Nicole Gonner and Katie Scherbring showed up with squirt guns and ran around crazy spraying us,” senior Jessie Glanz said. 'I was laughing so hard I had to stop running.”

Showing pride for their school and classmates is a priority for many West Delaware students.

'Our school's spirit throughout the year this far has been awesome. I've been impressed with the student section at all our games,” athletics director Mike Morrison said. 'They've done a good job of being respectful and keeping the focus on our team. I'm hoping this is an indication of how the rest of the year will go. Our fans need to keep

it up.”