Blaze plan on adding two more programs
The Clinton Blaze athletic program is continuing its expansion as it will add two more activities for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.
Clinton City Schools Athletic Director E.T. Stamey recently announced that the program, which already offers student-athletes from Clinton, North Clinton and South Clinton elementary schools opportunities to compete in cross country, track and field, swimming, boys and girls basketball and tennis in addition to having a dance team, an archery class, reading and science clubs and an intramural bowling league, would expand.
This fall, the Blaze will add a cheerleading team and a color guard.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blaze and Lady Blaze basketball teams played for standing-room-only crowds and the addition of the cheerleading team will only enhance the fan experience at basketball games.
The dance team also performs at Blaze and Lady Blaze games. The basketball teams sold out 18 consecutive home dates before coronavirus gripped the community, the state, the nation and the world.
“This can only build a student’s confidence and that’s important at this age, as the kids try to find out who they are,” Stamey said. “The cheerleaders will be at our basketball games along with our dance teams.”
Stamey noted that would also lead to more community involvement in the CCS athletic programs, and he also looks to see more fans in attendance.
“I figure each (cheerleader) will have at least one parent attending a game and maybe a grandparent or set of grandparents attending the game,” he said. “So that will get more parents in the seats.”
The cheerleading team will be coached by Ragan Allig and Kaylee Houck.
The Blaze will also add color guard, which will present colors during the national anthem at basketball games and compete in various competitions across the state during the coming school year.
Chantel Fleming will serve as adviser and coach for the color guard.
Stamey said she works with the color guard at Clinton High School and Clinton Middle School.
He also said said that Leon Jaquet, director of veterans affairs in Clinton, also helped with the formation of the Blaze color guard.