Gull Lake cheerleading has an unforgettable season
RICHLAND, Mich. —聽Congratulations to the Gull Lake Varsity Sideline and Competitive Cheer Team for finishing their season #1 in the District , for the first time ! They finished 38-6 in the regular season and #8 in the region! They had 9 seniors who exuded great leadership and became a family as they worked together to accomplish their goals!!
“The girls were truly shocked when our name was announced as 1st place and I know they will cherish that moment for many years to come.” said Coach Kristin Tucker
A few of these seniors took a moment to share their thoughts with us ! Their rawness, transparency and insight is truly what makes these amazing ladies remarkable while encapsulating the heart of their team as a whole!
Charlotte Zervic
What grade are you in? How long have you played on this team?
Zervic: I am in 12th grade and I have been doing competitive cheer for 6 years but I have been cheering altogether for 9 years.
As an athlete, what is a rule or piece of advice you live by?
Zervic: As an athlete, a rule I live by is 鈥渨ork hard鈥�. Although this is common and simple, I always remind myself of it to keep me in check and always put a smile on my face and do my best for the crowds.
How would you describe your personality?
Zervic: I would describe myself as hardworking, charismatic, talented, one of a kind, and a friend to al
What do you appreciate about your coach?
Zervic: I appreciate my coach because I have had so many different coaches throughout my years of cheer but there has never been anyone more disciplined, encouraging, and strategic as Coach Tucker.
What do you appreciate about your team?
Zervic: I appreciate my team for many reasons. They always make everything fun and inclusive, we鈥檝e become a family and it reminds me that I鈥檝e always got someone there for me even at times when I feel alone.
Do you have a pre-game song or ritual?
Zervic: Before games and competitions, we always dance in the locker room (to no specific song) and we do each others hair and say encouraging words in order to light our fire up.
Anything else you鈥檇 like to add?
Zervic: I had an amazing last year of cheerleading this year and I strongly encourage people to try cheer because it鈥檚 never too serious and you don鈥檛 need much skill level to start out with.
Isabella Hakman
What grade are you in? How long have you played on this team?
Hakman: I am a Senior this year and I have been participating on the Gull Lake Competitive Team since my freshman year.
As an athlete, what is a rule or piece of advice you live by?
贬补办尘补苍:听 A rule I live by when it comes to athletics is to always try and commit myself to the sport as much as I can. This was a lot easier when I found a sport I was truly passionate about. Improvement and progress cannot happen without a high level of commitment and passion.
How would you describe your personality?
Hakman: I would describe myself as someone who is driven and goal oriented. I like to see myself progress and reach new goals. I consider myself to be an encouraging person聽 that keeps a positive outlook.
What do you appreciate about your coach?
Hakman: I appreciate my coaches dedication to the program. She is always working to help the team improve in any way possible. She goes out of her way inside and outside of practice to provide the help athletes need to progress. Her passion for cheerleading helps make her a great leader for our team.
What do you appreciate about your team?
Hakman: I appreciate my team’s consistent hard work and their love for each other. This team is like a second family and has been so accepting of each other.聽 I think a big reason this team has been successful is because we get along so well.
Do you have a pre-game song or ritual?
Hakman: The team loves to jam out to music in the locker room before we perform. This helps us get excited for our rounds. Right before our rounds we huddle together and pep talk to each other.
Anything else you鈥檇 like to add?
Hakman: I think that my experience with cheerleading has had a great impact on me, especially in the past year. Having a team and coach that supports me has helped boost my confidence, improve my skills, and made the overall experience more enjoyable.
Kristen Tucker
Their coach, Kristen Tucker notably had a tremendous impact on these ladies as she shared her heart, gifts, and talents. With 15 years of experience however ,聽 her first year with this team and they truly bought into her ,聽 and her leadership as a team to give it their all!
Kristen says, “her goal is to create and grow this program so that it can help shape girls and young women to empower others with leadership and kindness”
In addition to building up these ladies she does so on a day to day basis with our younger youth as the Kellogg Elementary PE instructor!聽 My son had the opportunity to be with her for a few years at Kellogg and always shared how he enjoyed her and the many moments that made him “feel good”!
As a resident of Gull Lake, Mother of聽 gull lake students, teacher of students and coach, we were delighted to learn more about Kristin to share with you!
How long have you been coaching and what is your background in this sport?
Tucker: I have been coaching Varsity sideline and competitive cheerleading for 15 years. This is my first year coaching at Gull Lake, but previously, I coached at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek for 6 years. Before that, I lived on the East Coast as a military family and coached at a couple different schools in Virginia and Maryland for a combined 8 years.
What鈥檚 your coaching style or philosophy?
Tucker: I always pride myself on wanting student-athletes to have an enjoyable time and聽 learn life lessons through sport. Of course we like winning as much as the next person- but rather than being the best, I want them to walk away proud of what they accomplished while at the same time, having fun doing it.
What one or two things does the team do in training that are key to their success?
Tucker: Dedication and commitment to the team is something that is a very important part of our program. Athletes need to be all-in and committed for us to succeed. If the athletes buy into the program, they are more likely to do what it takes to reach their goals.
Describe your proudest coaching moment.
Tucker: I鈥檓 not sure I have 1 moment that sticks out above the rest. Year after year, when athletes return to our program and put in the work it takes to have the desired outcome, it reminds me why I love coaching so much. It does make me proud for my team to receive accolades and awards- but my favorite part of those awards is getting to see the girls fulfill goals that they have worked so hard for. It teaches them that they are capable of doing anything they set their mind to.
Tell us about a person who inspired you to play/coach this sport.
Tucker: I was a dancer for 15 years- but it was not an offered sport at my high school, so the natural progression was cheerleading. I loved being part of a school sport and working with my teammates to reach our goals. Being part of a successful high school program was the basis in which my coaching career began.
Describe the most memorable games/tournaments/championships your team has won.
Tucker:
2012 Tallwood High School, Virginia Beach- Qualified for Regionals for the first time in school history.
2018 Pennfield High School- qualified for regionals for first time in school history.
2019 Pennfield High School- Won I-8 Championship for first time in school history.
2021 Pennfield High School- qualified for D3 State Finals for first time in school history.
2/19/2022- Gull Lake High School- District Champions for first time in school history.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
Tucker: I want the athletes that I have coached to look back on their high school career and associate positive memories of their time with me and on the cheer team. I want to be a role model for them and teach them life lessons through the sport of cheerleading.
Anything else you鈥檇 like to add?
罢耻肠办别谤:听 I left Pennfield to coach at Gull Lake when the opportunity came last May. I live in Richland, teach in the GL district and my kids go to school there. It has been such a good coaching move for my family as I have so much more time with them during the week without the travel to Battle Creek multiple times a week.
Kristen also runs sideline and competitive cheer youth programs that start at 3rd grade! They also offer summer and winter camps for Y5-Y8th graders!聽 High School tryouts are聽 May 31, June 1 and June 2!
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