—Submitted photo Fort Dodge graduate Mason Gotto cheers on the sidelines in the UNI-Dome during a Northern Iowa football game.

CEDAR FALLS — Mason Gotto knew the 2020-21 season with the University of Northern Iowa cheer was going to be an interesting one.

And that was before she was cast into the lead role of the program.

Gotto, a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, is a senior with the Panthers and co-captain alongside Samantha Doak. Due to budget issues because of COVID, the school cut the coaching position out of the program.

“Overcoming that obstacle and finally being able to be at athletic events has been overwhelming and different, but it’s still been a great experience,” Gotto said. “Being back in the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center cheering for our athletes has felt amazing. It’s great to know that our athletic teams want us on the sidelines even if we are cheering them on strictly from the stands.”

Gotto and Northern Iowa are currently putting the finishing touches on the basketball and wrestling seasons with football hitting the field a few weeks back for the first time after being shifted to the spring.

During her Panther career, Gotto has cheered for football, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling and volleyball.

“The UNI cheer program has been a great experience for me,” she said. “I’ve not only been able to learn and grow as a cheerleader, but I’ve also been able to grow as a person and a leader. All of my teammates and previous coaches are to thank for that.

“To see myself grow in these aspects has been very rewarding. I’m proud of who I’ve become and I look forward to growing even more from my current team.”

As a Dodger, Gotto was part of the cheer teams for football, boys and girls basketball, and wrestling. She admits there was a learning curve going from FDSH to UNI.

“A piece of advice I would give to others about joining college cheer from high school is don’t be discouraged,” she said. “Each person contributes something a little different and it takes all those different pieces to build a strong team.”

This is exactly what Gotto has helped put together with the Panthers in her role as captain.

“Being named head captain of the program was nerve-wracking at first. I had to find my footing and which leadership style was most effective for my team,” Gotto said. “Overall, it has been a great experience. All of the time and hard work put into this program is definitely paying off. It’s very rewarding to see my team improve in skill ability and persevere through any circumstance, including COVID.

“What I’ll miss most of all about the UNI cheer program is seeing my teammates. Each and every one of them has made an impact on me and the way I’ve lead the team. I’ll miss not seeing them each week.”

Gotto has accepted a student-teaching position in the northwest area of Iowa after graduation.

“I hope to find an elementary school after student-teaching in hopes to apply my leadership and start making an impact there,” she said.