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Show Spirit squad works hard, cheers harder ByAIMEEDUSSOL correspondenl | The Signpost If you ask most people what comes to mind when they think about cheerleading, they picture little girls in little skirts jumping up and down with pompoms. Many think cheerleading is a minor athletic activity, or a recreational pastime, but they don't think cheerleading is a sport. "Cheerleading is not a sport," said Weber State University student Alan Falls. "They don't compete, they don't score points, and they aren't going head to head with an | opponent." c WSU student Ben Brewer | agrees with Falls; classifying ° cheerleading as more of an | "activity." £ "They are athletic, but I - wouldn't go as far as saying J cheerleading should be £ considered as a sport," Brewer c said. "They don't compete or have to work as hard as a football Wildcat cheerleaders build a human pyramid during Saturday's or basketball team." football game at home against UC Davis. But according to Summer ivsusionnost.com Club Every Friday Night! lot ink fall 621-9138 Turbo J Computing Solutions - Free in-Home Diagnostics - In-Horne Repairs and Upgrades - Networking Services - Custom Built PC's Monday - Thursday 1i AM - 4 PM >r\Friday + Saturday > 11 AM - 8 PM t8Q1-92O-53O1 www. turbo]cs. com "Cheerleading is definitely a sport We compete, have to be athletic and stay in shape and practice. Those are the main reasons people consider something a sport, and we do all of it" -Aaron Ames, WSU cheerleader Willis, the WSU spirit squad The Weber State cheerleading adviser, cheerleading is-a sport, squad will shortly be gearing and one that takes talent, up for their first national athletic ability and a bigtime competition, which will take commitment. even more time and practice. "Our cheerleaders-practice "It's the first time we will be for two hours three times a competing at nationals, so we week, and perform for the are pretty excited," Willis said. entire game," Willis said. "And Not only is cheerleading many of our cheerleaders demanding, it is also work on their skills outside of dangerous. The Consumer practice." Product Safety Commission "I take extra stunting classes reported that there were every week," said Wildcat 63,086 visits to the emergency cheerleader Crystal Olson. room in 2002 due to "It gives me more practice for cheerleading injuries, some of which were reported as stunting." and spinal "Cheerleading is definitely concussions a sport," said Weber State injuries. cheerleader Aaron Ames. "You use more physical "We compete, have to be strength and energy in one stunt athletic and stay in shape, than you do in a whole game of and practice. Those are the golf," said Wildcat cheerleader main reasons people consider Mace Warren. "So if you call something a sport, and we do golf a sport, cheerleading is all of it." one, too." Because cheerleaders Chris Hoffman, another cheer for most major sports, Weber State cheerleader, they are busy year-round. agrees. They cheer for football and "Cheerleading combines volleyball, as well as men's dance, tumbling, gymnastics and women's basketball. They and cheering," Hoffman said, also participate in civic and "which are four of the hardest community events. things to do. Most people can't "They cheer all year, so they even do one of those things, let have a longer season than most alone ail of them at the same sports," Willis said. "It is very time." time-consuming, and they only You can leave a message for get about a one-month break in reporter Aimee Dussol by calling the summer." 626-7983. UTAH'S FRIGHT FEST 2 0 0 4 WiME PARTIES 2400 Aiums Are. UTAH'S #l HAUNTED ATTRACTION Featuring DJs Arson OPEN SEPT. 24 thru Halloween OC Dangerous Bart Stone Cold AZ Blondi Kiiberelli SfiuutUtf Ut*hiti# H&B, 5-47 Woo Hww.hauntedutah.com HOTLINE: (808) MY- MUMMY |
