Making History: Lowell Catholic Cheer Caps Landmark Season with Regional, State, and New England Titles
2025 Winter Recap with Varsity Co-Coach Katie Swartz
The 2025 winter cheer season at Lowell Catholic High School will go down as one of the most iconic and inspiring chapters in the school’s athletic history. Guided by co-coach Katie Swartz, the varsity cheer team not only rose above early-season adversity but ended their season as North Regional Champions, State Champions, and New England Champions — a feat never before accomplished by the program.
With resilience, unity, and unwavering belief in one another, the Lady Crusaders didn’t just meet their goals — they made history.
A Rough Start Turns into a Remarkable Finish
Coach Swartz described the season’s opening weeks as anything but smooth. The team faced a series of logistical hurdles — school service trips disrupted practices and forced the team to modify routines on the fly. Rather than settling into one cohesive routine, the athletes were asked to adapt weekly.
“We had to complete a different routine almost every weekend,” said Swartz. “That’s incredibly tough on a team — it requires trust, flexibility, and constant mental reset.”
Despite these challenges, the team remained focused and managed to place first at every invitational except one, where they finished second. It wasn’t until their final invitational, however, that the team truly realized the potential brewing within.
“That last invitational was our turning point,” Swartz explained. “We received our highest score of the season. It gave the girls the belief that they really had a shot at winning States — something that had never been done at our school before.”
A Team Effort: Every Athlete Counts
In a sport like cheerleading, there’s no single player who can carry the team. Precision, timing, and synchronization are essential — every role is crucial. Coach Swartz emphasized this point clearly when asked about key contributors.
“With our sport, it’s hard to pinpoint just one athlete,” she said. “Every athlete had a major role in our success this season.”
That shared responsibility became the core of their identity. The team developed a strong culture of mutual support and accountability. Whether flying, basing, spotting, or tumbling, each girl played a part in every success — and every recovery from missteps.
Leadership That Glued the Team Together
Great teams often rise and fall with their leadership, and this year’s Lowell Catholic cheer team was no exception. Captain Abigail was instrumental in keeping the group grounded during times of strain.
“Abigail was constantly reminding our team to talk out any issues they may be having with one another regarding the sport,” Swartz said. “That communication helped us stay connected, even when the pressure was high.”
Alongside Abigail, Molly, and Gianna stood out for their uplifting presence. When practices grew difficult or routines didn’t hit, their energy helped turn things around.
“They always reminded the team that if they stuck together and continued to work as a team, they would accomplish the goals they set at the beginning of the season,” said Swartz.
Turning Adversity into Fuel
If there was a defining characteristic of the 2025 Lady Crusaders, it was their ability to respond to setbacks with positivity and purpose.
From injuries and lineup changes to difficult practices and early stumbles, the team maintained a growth mindset. Swartz credited the athletes for their ability to reset and recharge after tough days.
“The most important thing the girls did after a bad practice was walk into the next one with an open mind,” she explained. “They always remembered that it was a new day, a new opportunity — and they turned every negative into a positive.”
This mental toughness became especially important in competition settings, where pressure was high and every move counted.
A Senior Class That Set the Standard
While the entire team contributed to the season’s success, the impact of the senior class was undeniable. With just two seniors on the roster, their leadership carried extra weight.
“My two seniors, whom I am going to miss so much, did an absolutely amazing job this season,” said Swartz. “They put in the work every single time and did what they could to keep our team focused and working together.”
Their example left a lasting impression on the underclassmen and helped establish a culture that will outlast their time in uniform.
“We definitely would not have had a successful season without them.”
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future
The path forward for Lowell Catholic cheer looks just as exciting as the historic season they leave behind. With only three of the nine competing athletes graduating, the team returns a strong core of experienced competitors.
“We have a very strong team returning,” Swartz said. “We’re lucky to have strong alternates who we hope to see on the mat this upcoming fall season.”
That continuity allows the coaching staff to build on what worked in 2025 while pushing the team into new territory. There's no resting on laurels — only fresh goals to chase.
Offseason Focus: Flexibility and Tumbling
In the offseason, Coach Swartz already has a clear plan for sharpening the team’s skill set.
“I’m hoping to improve our flexibility and tumbling skills,” she said.
Both are foundational elements of competitive cheer, and improving in these areas will elevate the team’s ability to compete at the highest level again next year, not just with clean execution but with more advanced elements that raise scoring potential.
A Championship Mindset, On and Off the Mat
What defined the 2025 Lowell Catholic cheerleading team wasn’t just their medals or scores — it was the way they approached their journey. From the earliest practices to their final routine at New England, they embraced the values of teamwork, resilience, and self-belief.
They faced logistical chaos, injuries, and setbacks — yet still captured Regional, State, and New England titles for the first time in school history. It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t just talent. It was heart, discipline, and unity.
Coach Katie Swartz and her team showed the region what’s possible when athletes trust each other and believe in a common goal.
Follow the Journey
Stay up to date with Lowell Catholic Cheer by following them on Instagram at @LC_LadyCrusaders or check their results on the MSAA website.
Congratulations to the 2025 Lowell Catholic Varsity Cheer Team on a season that will be remembered for years to come — not just for the banners earned, but for the legacy built.
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