CHERRY TWP — Just two years ago, the Moniteau basketball cheerleading team barely had enough members to make a pyramid.

With just four girls on the roster, the program was close to folding.

But Jackie Thiry and Natalie Bucherine made sure that didn't happen.

Thiry was hired in October and Bucherine shortly after. The duo set out immediately to bring more girls into the fold.

And they succeeded.

Numbers rose to 15 last year and already this summer, Thiry expects the roster to be 30 strong.

“Natalie and I were very excited when we saw how many came to tryout for the team last year,” Thiry said. “Many of the girls in the high school I coached prior in the youth program, so they know my coaching and choreography style, so I believe that may have sparked an interest.”

Thiry served for six years in the Moniteau youth program.

“Some of these girls I have been coaching since they were 8 years old,” Thiry said. “We are very excited interest in the program is back. The girls are very excited to get started and so are we.”

Count senior Hannah Thompson among them.

She was there when the numbers were small and is equally excited about the growth.

“I knew (Thiry) from midget cheerleading and it was so much fun,” Thompson said. “I think that got people back into it again and made them step up and come out.”

Thompson wants to cheer in college. She is also a member of the Element All-Stars cheerleading team based in Butler.

Thompson said the new coaches at Moniteau will give her and her teammates who also want to cheer at the next level a better chance to get noticed.

Thiry plans on adding a competitive cheer element to the program.

“We are hoping that is in the near future for the cheerleaders at Moniteau,” Thiry said. “Many people think cheerleaders are just to promote school spirit, and our girls definitely do that, but they themselves are athletes. They jump, stunt, tumble, dance and condition themselves to be their personal best when performing.”

The PIAA now recognizes competitive spirit as a full-fledged sport.

Thompson said it is impossible to underestimate what that has meant to her and all who cheer.

“It means the world to me,” Thompson said. “Everything I've been doing has been to push myself in the sport. And it is a sport. It takes a lot of training and a lot of physical fitness. I have hurt my knees and arms and wrists.”

Thiry, a 1998 Moniteau graduate and cheerleader herself at the school, also has launched a huge fundraising effort to put more money back into the program.

New uniforms have a been a top priority.

“Our uniforms have definitely seen better days,” Thiry said. “So, last year we set a goal to be able to provide the girls with new uniforms for the upcoming season.”

Thiry hasn't quite reached her goal yet, but is hopeful she will.

“Our girls give us their best every game and practice and they deserve to look nice and professional at each game.”

She also has seen the progress during game nights.

“We really loved that almost every single game, a spectator ... would approach Natalie and I and tell us how upbeat and good our girls were. That would always made us so proud at the end of a game.”

Now with healthy numbers, as well as several members who want to compete at the next level, Thiry is hopeful that the program will continue to grow.

“(I want) the cheerleaders to keep being good stewards of the school, “ Thiry said. “Keeping the school spirit up and building more school spirit is the top priority. We want to keep our students proud of their school and community.”