It doesn’t matter at what level athletes play, motivation is often fueled by the fans and their support. From Little League to the Major Leagues, the roar of the crowd lets the players know that they have their full support and motivate them to do their best.

That’s why high school student sections are often a crucial part of a team’s success. Whether it’s five students or 500, knowing that they have the support of their peers gives the players that extra emotional boast to bring home the win, and provides the support they need when things don’t go their way.

Senior Eliana Gehlman knows how important it is to have the crowd on her side.

“I know how it feels to be an athlete and no fans show up to the game. Showing support for each other is important,” said Gehlman.

Unfortunately, participation in the student sections at Tyrone has been inconsistent at best this school year. After two years of COVID, when games were played with no fans or a limited number of fans, the student’s return to the stands has been slow.

But there is a core group of students who have consistently shown their school spirit and support for their classmates and friends by showing up to almost every game to root for their Golden Eagles.

Call them the “Dawg Pound Diehards,” these are some of the students who have made Tyrone sports a big part of their social calendars from fall sports, through the winter, and into the spring:

Freshman Rowan Moore, Marshall Martin, Corey Gehlman, Isaiah Corbin, and Juju Fisher. sophomores Austin Lucas, Seth Hoover, Tyler Weston, Gayge Miller, Donte Novak, Layna Dibert, juniors Ryan Light, Cohen Wallace, Allison Beeman, Mackenzie Gunsallus, and seniors Emily Smith, Kolten Miller, Elaina Gehlman, Reagan Irons, and Colton Veres.

These are some of the students who showed up to cheer on their peers and friends game in and game out. Through the losses and wins, they were there every step of the way.

Sophomore Layna Dibert is one of the students who attended Dawg Pounds from football season through the final basketball game this year.

“I enjoy going to the games to watch my friends play and participating in the themes makes it a lot more fun,” said Dibert.

“It’s something you can only do when you are in high school, so you might as well enjoy it,” said senior Colton Veres, who played football but attended many of the volleyball and basketball Dawg Pounds this year.

The “diehards” favorite Dawg Pounds were football and basketball. Football because the attendance and excitement were high and the basketball games because the athletes and opposing fans were so close.

Themes are also part of the fun of being in the student section, and some of the favorite themes, according to the Diehards were Hick Night and USA Night.

But no matter what the sport or theme, the Diehards would like to see the Dawg Pounds grow in numbers next year.

“It’s so much more fun than just sitting off on the side and it gets you more involved with what is happening during the game. You also get to talk to your friends so talk to people you haven’t talked to before,” said Dibert.

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