Catasauqua High School cheerleading coach Mikesha Calhoun hopes to have the Rough Riders’ cheerleading squad selected sometime this month, but it’s taken some twists and turns in getting there due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Coach Calhoun and her assistants Nikki Treiber, Kawaunna Waldron and Jena Auriemma are accustomed to having their squad in place before the school year ends with practices starting in June. Also, Calhoun typically brings in judges for tryouts, which she did not do this year.

“It’s a little crazy, a little different, not the way I like to do it, but it’s kind of cool because I get to see the girls’ dedication, commitment, skill sets, comfort level, and spirit level,” Calhoun said.

The Rough Riders have been abiding by the return-to-play rules given to them by the school board and athletic department. They practice outside as much as possible, which includes social distancing.

“We’re going over cheers, learning new ones, teaching dances, and our fight song. We want to have all those things locked down,” said Calhoun.

The Catty cheerleaders are also spending time in the weight room twice a week.

“I think it’s been good. It will help them be stronger for stunting, and I want it to continue,” Calhoun said.

Stunting is the last piece of the puzzle for the Rough Riders, as they have been prohibited from stunting for now, again, because of social distancing rules.

“We would have had cheerleading camp by now, and started our competition routine,” said Calhoun, “but we’ll make it work.”