For the new co-head cheer coaches, it’s like coming home.

Annyka and Amylia Scherschligt, who graduated from Hillcrest in 2020 and 2021, respectively, were standout athletes for the Huskies. They also were accomplished dancers in hip hop, jazz, lyrical and tap as well as tumbling. 

Since those days, Annyka Scherschligt made her name known on Idaho State’s soccer pitch, coached East High’s freshman-sophomore soccer team and has privately coached soccer while her sister cheered as captain of Snow College, coached Bliss Academy of Dance and Cheer and has privately coached tumbling.

Then, they saw Hillcrest was hiring.

“Amylia sent it to me and said, we should do it,” the older sister remembered. “OK, let’s.”

Now the sisters are coaching a cheer squad of 37 Huskies — 35 girls and two boys — to rally on their teams from the sidelines as well as entertain the crowds during time outs and halftimes.

There are six seniors and 11 juniors. While about 40% have experience, they are teaching the newcomers stunts and moves.

“We start simply and then, work our way up. It’s really rewarding from summer to now, to see their improvement,” Annyka Scherschligt said. “They’ve been working hard with their stunting, getting all those new skills. It was hard with all the new girls as they aren’t used to lifting girls up in the air. Now it’s awesome to see them getting those extensions, those lifts. They’ve worked hard at tumbling – aerials, handsprings, tucks; we’re seeing improvement every practice.”

Seventeen members comprise Hillcrest’s competitive team, which has a goal to qualify for USA nationals in February in California this year. 

“That experience is so rewarding. You work so hard to be able to go to such a big competition. It’s something the team should strive for. It helps with team bonding, team strength and team unity quite a bit,” she said.

Competition starts with the Winter Classic Cheer Competition Dec. 7 at Salt Lake Community College’s Redwood Campus and the USA regional 1 cheer competition on the same day. Region and the central division state qualifier is on Jan. 10, 2025 at Corner Canyon High. State follows Jan. 24, 25 and Feb. 1, 2025 at Utah Valley University’s UCCU Center.

“Cheer has changed some from when we were at Hillcrest because cheer wasn’t sanctioned then. So, we’re on a learning curve,” the older sister said.

What hasn’t changed is the focus on academic achievement.

“I reflect on how my coaches did it. I was blessed with the perspective of wanting to excel in sports and staying on top of academics and that can be tricky. We’re trying to create that fun atmosphere, but also have a serious key to it. We’re helping the team find that balance while having fun as a team,” she said. 

The cheerleaders already have had boating and swimming parties, a movie night and a team dinner with the drill squad. They’ve raised funds by selling Swig drink cards and plan to hold a food drive for the school’s pantry.

Annyka Scherschligt said she and her sister have long-range goals for the Huskies despite being the third head coaches in three years.

“We want to build that strong unity as well as see the team improve and make the program better so more people come out next year. We want the experience to be fun and to have them build friendships as well as be competitive,” she said recalling her freshman year, Hillcrest won the 4A state cheer title. “We beat Alta and we were so excited. It would be awesome to get another state banner up in the gym.”

That could be realistic this year.

“If the girls work hard, if us coaches, also work hard. It’s a team effort. We need to stay positive and united and work together as a team,” Annyka Scherschligt said. “We’re coming from the underdog spot, but sometimes the underdog can win it all.”

A state title would be fitting for the team that has the theme: “One team, one dream.” λ