Central's first male cheerleader

Sophomore Darius Kuentzler became Central’s first male cheerleader for the boys’ basketball season of 2015-2016. As a member of the color-guard, Kuentzler said he would cheer along with his cheerleader friends as he sat in the stands at football games. His friends then encouraged him to become a cheerleader.

The squad practiced the first week before the first boys’ basketball game and continue to practice before each game. Since it is Kuentzler’s first year on the squad he only cheers at boys’ basketball home games. Five cheerleaders, including Kuentzler, are strictly home-game cheerleaders and the rest are split into two teams who rotate going to away games.

Kuentzler’s position on the squad is a back spot that stands behind the flyer. “They think it is cool that they have a male cheerleader because other schools like Red Lion and West York High Schools have male cheerleaders,” said Kuentzler of his fellow cheerleaders.

Central York’s basketball cheerleading coach, Cathy Trimmer, said Kuentzler gets along well with the team. “We enjoy having Darius on our basketball cheer squad,” said Trimmer. “He is very willing to do and learn whatever is necessary when it comes to stunting,” adding that the team takes safety seriously.

Kuentzler said he hopes to continue in cheerleading next year and perhaps even into college.

Kuentzler said, “[My favorite part is] seeing everything come together because it starts as something boring and then you can put something interesting into it.”

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