This is the first year that senior Austin Maser has been a member of the Air Academy High School cheer team. Among the few boys on the team, Austin has proven to be quite the leader within the squad, after leading the team to take sixth place at a national cheer competition. Benching an outstanding three-hundred pounds, Austin frequently hits the gym to stay in shape throughout the year so he can be successful in partner stunting. Austin enjoys a post-workout protein shake and naps to recover from intense lifting sessions. When asked about balancing both school and cheer Austin says, “The best advice I could ever give anybody is hakuna matata and just do your best.” True words of wisdom from one of the friendliest faces of Air Academy’s halls.

Seniors Ashley Dickerson and Hannah Brockie, along with sophomores Kate Walker and Sammy Steigerwald, made history this season in Air Academy’s record books. The “Dream Team,” as the girls refer to themselves, broke the girls swimming 400 Freestyle Relay record by 0.02 seconds, a record they were set on beating since the start of the season. The success of achieving their goal and simultaneously placing sixth at state was reflected by the constant year-round hard work and dedication these girls put into swimming. Off-season training for these athletes includes a healthy diet and dry land activities such as planks, medicine balls, and running. The Dream Team additionally trains year-round with their club swim teams. The motivation to achieve their goal was influenced greatly by their strong team dynamic. “It’s not just yourself you are swimming for, it’s your school and your three other teammates,” says Ashley. The girls, however, admit that with the success of breaking the record, they all struggled with balancing school, swim, social lives, and sleep. “Once you’re at State you just have to focus on swimming and once finals come then you focus more on those,” says Ashley. Hannah Brockie agrees, saying, “You get used to it; it’s like a schedule.” But like most Kadet student-athletes, these girls were able to balance their studies and training, reflecting leadership in and out of the pool.