Kristen Baranski

Holding up his flyer, freshman Daniel Hasler completes a stunt.

Freshman Daniel Hasler is the only male cheerleader amongst 19 female cheerleaders.

“It’s fun and definitely worth doing. I have no idea where I’ll get to, or how long I’ll be doing it, but I like making people laugh and having fun and I think I’ll continue to make new friends,” Hasler said.

Hasler is currently on JV, as he had no prior experience besides gymnastics when he was five, but hopes to make varsity in the fall. He plans to cheer all four years of his high school career.

“I’m good at shouting and being loud, but other than that this was a new experience that I had never done before,” Hasler said. “My goal isn’t to be the world champion of cheer, but I would love to stick with my cheer team for a long time. I think I’ve made lifelong friendships that will continue during and after high school.”

Ever since day one, Hasler has feared one wrong move will end his career as a cheerleader.

“I was scared to do something wrong. I didn’t want to hurt any opportunities I might get, so it was more about me understanding that they were accepting of me, to not be as closed in as I was,” Hasler said.

Hasler has seen tremendous benefits from deciding to join the cheer team, from friends to future opportunities.

“All the people that I knew on the team were nice people, and I thought it would be fun to hang out with them. Not to mention scholarships for guys are particularly good, and I would love some help to get into college,” Hasler said.

Since he is the only boy on the squad, Hasler has faced bullying from peers who believe cheerleading should be a sport for girls.

“I was able to weather it by telling them ‘just cause you don’t want to do it, doesn’t mean that I can’t,’” Hasler said. “I think some guys would enjoy it too, and I understand that it’s not the thing for everyone, but for people like me, who are energetic and like making people laugh and having fun, it is a good sport.”

Seen as a strength for the team, the female members of the squad are supportive of Hasler’s membership.

“It’s really nice to have a guy on the team because he is stronger and it makes it easier on the bases and allows for more advanced stunts. I wish he was on varsity,” varsity Cheerleading Captain Kristen Baranski said.

Through cheer, Hasler has learned to accept help from others when the times get tough in learning the cheers, dance coordinations and trying to mesh with the other cheer leaders.

“I don’t know everything, and I can’t teach myself everything. I can’t teach myself how to do a cartwheel, and I certainly didn’t teach myself how to throw people in the air, but them helping me learn that has definitely made me improve. I’ve learned that you have to depend on people sometimes,” Hasler said.

Hasler used to get bothered by leaders saying “Okay girls, and male!” But after a while of hearing it, it does not have the same effect on him.

“That phrase always reminds me that I’m doing something unique that I’ve never done before and just how special it is that I’m able to do this,” Hasler said. “I know that there are some places where the idea of a male cheerleader wouldn’t be accepted whatsoever and I’m just so glad that I’m able to do it here.”

Hasler hopes to break stereotypes through being the only male cheerleader for West.

“If guys really want to know what it’s like, then they should try out and join the team,” Hasler said. “I think some guys would enjoy it too and like I said it’s not the thing for everyone, but you’ll never know what it’s like until you try it.”