BY ALYSSA FISCHER, Freshman
BLYTHEWOOD-- Ozell Williams, the high school cheerleading coach of East High School in Denver was fired after the public viewed videos of a 13 year old girl named Ally Wakefield being forced down into splits at a high school cheerleading practice. The video was filmed at their cheerleading summer camp on June 15, 2017 and uploaded to youtube.
According to the New York Post, Williams was fired according to the school superintendent for forcing a 13 year old girl into a split and causing her physical pain.
“Under no circumstances should a young person be in a situation where they are suffering from physical or emotional harm,” said Publisher of the New York Post Tom Boasberg.
Athletes should not be harmed or be forced to performing a task even if the coach thinks it will make them a better athlete.
“You can prevent injuries like this one involved in the video instead of being forced into stretching splits you can use alternative ways to stretch and get better,” said Freshman Bauer Haynes.
Instead of physically harming athletes, there are options to find other ways to get better at their sport according to Haynes.
“I would like to be coached in a way where I am being pushed to be a better athlete but not to the point where I am being forced into physical pain.” said Freshman Cheerleader Abby Cummings.
It is very important athletes are pushed to be better versions of themselves but not to the point where they are being hurt stated Cummings.
“We believe as a gym that athletes should be pushed to a point where the athlete is mentally and physically able and that we have built a relationship with them where they can communicate and tells us that they don’t feel comfortable with that mentally or physically,” said Head Cheerleading Coach Michaela Gonzales.
What happened in Denver was not acceptable and should never have happened. Athletes and coaches should be mature enough to know when they shouldn’t go past their physical limitations according to Gonzales.
