Cheerleading is a physically skilled activity that is for entertainment. Being a part of a cheerleading team is one of the most fun things you can experience during high school. Cheerleading tryouts are coming up here for Lewis Cass. Tryouts this year take place on Monday, April 29, right after school.
During tryout season, it is the most nerve-racking time of cheer season. Every year, I have tried out, my stomach was turning the whole time. Even after I have done it multiple times. When preparing for your tryouts, you typically learn a dance, cheer, and chant to perform for the coaches. You will also need to do your jumps and kicks. During tryouts, the coaches will judge each section, then add up all of your points, and decide if you have made the team.
If you have never done cheerleading, do not worry. The Lewis Cass cheer coaches, Jen Deeter and Brittany Bertand, are always willing to do their best to help and cheer you on. This past Monday, April 15, the coaches hosted a practice to help girls with their skills. If you are planning to try out, hopefully, you went to this. It would have shown the coaches you are willing for all the practice you can get.
Before trying out, you should know cheerleading is a year-around sport. You are cheering from August all the way to mid-February-March. This just depends how well the boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons go. It is never a dull moment. I can assure you you will have an awesome time being on the cheer team, and you will always have something to look forward to during the week.
As a former cheerleader for six years, you should work as hard as you can every practice and game. The coaches definitely look for hard work and positivity. Coach Brittany says, “I look for someone who is always positive to their peers. The purpose of being a cheerleader is setting a positive attitude about all school activities, no matter the circumstance. The more positive you are, the more I know you’ll be able to hype-up a crowd during a tough game or learn a difficult skill.”
Cheerleading is a very self-skilled sport. We are a team, but how you cheer is on you. With that being said, it is important to self-criticize and take advice from your coaches. Every skill in cheerleading is difficult, but it gets easier as long as you have a positive attitude. Coach Brittany says, “I want the girls to find a personal goal for the season and start working on it even when we’re not together over the summer!” The more you practice your motions, the sharper and cleaner you’ll look. The more you stretch, your jumps will be higher. The more you practice your dancing, the better you will dance. Also, the more you practice the cheers and chants, the better you will be at them. Cheerleading takes a lot of practice, so don’t feel discouraged. Everyone has been there. Every sport and activity takes practice!”
Upcoming senior, Kadin Robertson, says, “Tryouts are still nerve-racking for me. Especially because of the high expectations that are set. I definitely still feel the same pressure I felt when I tried out for my freshman year. This year, I have prepared for tryouts by continuing to stretch even after the season ended. I take time out every day to go over the tryout material. The more I practice, the more I remember it. I think the hardest part about trying out for cheer over the years was having to try out in front of the coaches alone. Usually, I am always cheering with a big group of girls so I am not used to all of the attention on me.” Going on about the season, Kadin says, “I’m most excited for the themes of the games and overall getting to create memories with my friends on the team. We do so many fun things throughout the season, I am so excited to experience all of it one last time.”
Next year, if you want something fun that keeps you busy, I recommend trying out for the cheerleading team here at Lewis Cass. You will grow as a person and a teammate. I am sure you will love it!
