Olivia Gowdy leaves a trail of hard work and positivity.

Photos by Kush Santosh, Staff Writer

Kevin Xiang, Staff Writer

For sophomore Oliva Gowdy, cheerleading is more than just a sport. It has impacted her life in more ways than one, helping her become the skilled, cheerful person that her friends know her as today.

As center flyer on the varsity cheerleading team, Gowdy is the one at the top of a pyramid, constantly thrown into the air - a role that is highly demanding.

“[It] is definitely a challenging position,” Valeria Moyer, cheerleading coach at Northview, said.“Just by nature everyone gravitates in the middle of anything when you're looking at something. And that's why there's a lot of pressure and I think she's taking it quite well, for sure.”

Gowdy has not shied away from the challenge. One of the routines that she has been working on is known as the  tic toc, a difficult maneuver that involves being thrust into the air while standing on a single leg. Her work has inspired awe and pride in her coaches.

“That's not something that's easy for anyone to accomplish,” Moyer said. “it's just awesome to see someone do that it the air.”

Gowdy’s progress in the past four months since she joined cheerleading at Northview is exceptional. At the beginning of summer, she was not considered for a flying position. But she internalized  her coaches’ feedback, often putting in extra hours to work on her routines.

“Her hard work has really pushed her up to the next level and I think that's her biggest asset.” Moyer said.

Gowdy’s attitude towards cheerleading has rubbed off on some of her teammates. Her hard work has set an example to follow, as well as how she handles it.

“I've learned a lot about staying more calm, because I see [Gowdy] in this stuff and she is always calm,” Rianna Bayliss, a fellow cheerleader and one of Gowdy’s closest friends, said.

Gowdy’s teammates have become more than just peers. Off the mat, they sit at the same table during lunch and often spend time together outside of practice like getting boba tea.

“We all do everything together and we work hard together, especially during stunting because you have to talk to each other” Gowdy said. “It’s just a lot of bonding time.”

These friendships carry a unique meaning for Gowdy. As a transfer student from Denmark High School, she did not know anyone at Northview. For her, the members of the cheerleading team were the first people she became close with at the school. 

“[Cheerleading] makes me more cheerful, more outgoing,” Gowdy said. “That really helps people, especially if they're not so outgoing; you can learn how to be more like that.”

Her attitude has not gone unnoticed. Bayliss is often motivated by the positive energy that Gowdy projects during practices.

“I love how she's very bubbly and positive and nice,” Bayliss said. “When we're practicing, she has a very positive mindset. Sometimes I don't so it definitely helps me to be more positive.”

Gowdy hopes to continue this mindset as her team shoots to win regions this year. With Gowdy’s talent, they are not far off.