The Coupeville High School cheer team will look “very different from previous years,” according to first-year coach Emily Stevens.

“We’re getting back to basics and drilling down into the original purpose of a cheerleader: to promote school and community spirit and encourage fellow athletes,” she said. “We’ll be doing a lot more stunting (weather permitting) this football season, so hopefully a really dynamic sideline.”

Claire Mietus and McKenzie Meyer will captain the squad.

“They’ve already exceeded my expectations of leadership and have been a huge help in keeping me on the ball to continue traditions,” Stevens said.

Also returning for the Wolves are Ashleigh Battaglia, Julie Bucio, Maggie Crimmins, Kaley Grigsby, Abby Hamilton, Ja’Tarya Hoskins, Nancy Melendrez-Partida, Mira Mostafavinassab, Heather Nastali, Moira Reed and Mica Shipley.

Key newcomers are Melia Welling (“a powerhouse,” according to Stevens) and Carol Caveness (who “has picked up choreography shockingly fast for a first-year cheerleader”).