Submitted Photo Top Row L-R: Ava Bounds, Saoirse Adkins, Ashley Carr, Olivia Getzlaff. 2 to top Row L-R: Jaylin Thomas-Joyner, Katelyn Helseth, Alina Kibler, Winter Getzlaff, Coach Carly Johnson. 2nd to bottom row L-R: Avayah Myhre, Ariana Burlison, Danika Routhier, Kenleigh Monley, Payton Stolba. Bottom Row L-R: Teilanna Lantto, Jackie Stevens, Vreelyn Nygaard, Nala Barnes, Makynzie Rogers.

Every program has to have a starting story. Many schools with teams, mascots, history or competition had their beginnings decades and decades ago. Not so for the new Minot North High School. Things are very new, very fresh and just starting to build those stories.

For such a young school — not even in their own campus yet — the Sentinels are starting the historical record early and setting the bar high when it comes to cheerleading.

The team garnered praise at the state competition recently. Awards for Winter State were as follows;

— 2nd Place: Gameday, Timeout, and Cheer/Dance (team events)

— 3rd Place Stunt Group: Nouvelle Navy (Vreelyn N, Saoirse A, Teilanna L, Danika R, Makynzie R)

— 1st Place Jump Off Champion: Vreelyn N

“We have 18 student-athletes,” explained head cheer coach Carly Johnson. “Most are ninth and tenth graders. We took a vote as a team when we started out and resoundingly they all wanted to compete in Class A Varsity instead of JV right away.”

Johnson herself is so fresh that she isn’t yet aware of how rare it is to start a program from scratch.

“I graduated from Minot High and cheered there,” said Johnson. “As a senior, I knew I wanted to get involved in passing along what I learned in my years cheering.”

Studying and cheering at Minot State University doubled with coaching the cheer team at Erik Ramstad Middle School for three years prior to the Minot North position.

“It was amazing to be a part of the starting process from the get go,” said Johnson. “Most of the team were at Erik Ramstad and I may end up with some for as long as six years as their coach. I feel very lucky to be here working with these great student-athletes.”

The offseason for the cheer team is filled with events, such as exhibitions and performances at events. The team will showcase their routine at Minot State today at the Women’s basketball game halftime show.

“We have so much gratitude for the parents of these athletes,” said Johnson. “With early morning practices, events located in different areas and members of the team taking dance, tumbling, gymnastics and other off season workouts – the parents and family members of our team have given so much time to help. And lots of rides!”