The Coupeville High School cheer squad doesn’t lack from participation this fall.

Coaches Sylvia Arnold and Cheridan Eck’s team has swelled to about 40 members this year.

Eck said, “Being that we have such a grand team, we will be having cheerleaders in the stands as well as on the field.”

Head coach Arnold, who has coached for 19 years, will close out her career at the end of the football season. Eck will continue to coach during basketball.

Arnold said, “It’s going to be a great final season for me. I’ve coached cheerleading since 1994 in Coupeville. Practically all the girls on the team I had in our elementary school junior cheer programs. Some of the children coming up through the system, I coached their mothers. Yes, it’s true. It’s time for me to retire before I start coaching grandchildren!”

“If these wonderful girls take anything with them,” she added, “I hope they always remember our saying: ‘That’s great!! I love it!!’”

Arnold said, “The goal of every season is to see young ladies rise up and be fine examples of true leadership in their school, their community and at the various games.

“It’s one thing to cheer. It’s another thing to lead cheers with a good spirit. We work together on the ‘family aspect’ of our team, and strive to be stronger in character for having spent time as a unit.

“Hopefully, people at the games will join in on the fun and show their support for our athletes.”

The Wolves will also host two junior cheer camps during the school year, one in the fall and one in the winter. The youngsters will learn cheers and routines and then perform at a high school football and basketball game.