When she spoke to the Reporter early Monday afternoon, Coach Clark had yet to hear her team's various ideas. But she doubted they would be shy about sharing them. “They can't shut up,” Coach Clark said, adding that the propensity to keep talking is not always a good quality in a cheerleader.

But it will be when the Indians hit the basketball court. And one thing they can virtually guarantee is that they will be louder than last year, having seen the squad's numbers skyrocket from four to 14. Those four, Mariah Jacobs, Lisa Rasmussen and Kaela and Ariana Loriz, are members of this year's team. Many veterans from the 2006-2007 squad return this year, including seniors Hope Kanarvogel and Sara Mundy, the cheerleading captains.

With more than last year's foursome at the ready, the 2008-2009 cheerleading squad plans to do more lifts like they did in this 2007 photo. Reporter file photo

With 10 more members and a lot more practice time, the team will be able to do things last year's team could not. Though they will not be throwing each other in the air, the Indians will eventually wheel out some moves like what Coach Clark said were simple lifts.

Those lifts may not be featured until the January pep rally because Coach Clark said she is already in “crunch time.” The team will have had two weeks of practice before their season debut when the boys varsity team hosts East Rockaway at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

While that might not seem like much time to get ready, at this point last year, there was a distinct possibility that there would be no cheerleading team at all. After serving as coach for two years, Coach Clark “backed out” last year. Linda Springer stepped in for the season. After Ms. Springer resigned earlier this fall, Coach Clark returned.

“They needed a coach,” she said, adding of her decision to come back, “I was a cheerleader. I just like the cheers. I like to get the girls excited about the school.”

Anyone attempting to use the school's main entrance shortly after the school day ends will hear that excitement. Because there were already five basketball and two volleyball teams competing for gym space, the cheerleaders have taken up practice residence in the school's lobby. At full volume and probably even at less than that, their voices would reverberate through the building.

“They're very enthusiastic, ready to cheer,” Coach Clark said.

She will try to steer that enthusiasm toward her stated goal for the season, “which is to bring school spirit into the school and get the school spirit back up and root for the teams,” Coach Clark said.

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