Around 20 high schools in Missouri offer students the choice to compete in stunt. This spring, Warrenton will officially become one of those schools and offer the sport to girls. 

Led by Head Coach Natalie Filipek, the program’s first year will be used to build the program and get as many students involved as possible. Stunt is a head-to-head competition between two teams that focuses on the technical side of cheerleading. 

There are four different quarters. The first quarter focuses on partner stunts. The second quarter is pyramids and tosses. The third is jumps and tumbling and the fourth quarter focuses on taking all those routines to make one big routine. 

“I’m really excited because we’re one of the first schools in Missouri to offer stunt and it is one of the fastest growing female sports in the country,” Filipek said. “Warrenton providing a team so early on is going to be so helpful for the program in years to come.”

Filipek is a Warrenton graduate, and the only Warrior to collegiately stunt. She attended Maryville University where she participated on the team throughout her entire college experience and was an assistant coach for one year. 

The season will run from February to May, with an anticipated five or six events. The program is also anticipating only having a varsity squad for the first year. 

Filipek noted a schedule is not yet completed, but the Warriors will have some events scheduled with Fort Zumwalt South, and Warrenton will have at least two home games. 

Filipek was pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback she received from students wanting to join the sport. She noted many of the Warrenton cheerleaders enjoy the competition aspect stunt brings and they will be able to use that to play into their strengths. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing who comes out for the team this year, and really hoping to use and build their cheerleading foundational skills and use it towards stunt,” Filipek said. 

She continued to say that stunt has a place for everyone. There are four different quarters in a tournament or event, but not everyone has to participate in each of them. Only eight athletes go out on the mat at a time, so if someone enjoys tumbling, but doesn't necessarily want to stunt, the sport is still a great fit for them. 

“We can put them out there on those jumps and tumbling routines or even vice versa, the people who are super strong and can throw people up in the air, but maybe can’t tumble can still play a huge role in the stunt team,” Filipek said. 

The program expects to have an assistant coach as well, but that person is to be determined. In addition, there will be an informational meeting for students interested on Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. in the high school commons area.  

Filipek said for students that are interested but not sure if they want to try out, they should give it a chance and try stunt for a year. She said after the year, they will probably fall in love with the sport. 

“If you’re someone who likes cheerleading, stunting, tumbling or any of those areas, you’re going to love stunt. It’s so much fun to cheer on your teammates when you’re out on the mat and the competitive nature of what stunt is is so exciting,” Filipek said.