Show Cheer Squad wins in Vegas For j I J p pk M 1 f il y rI r- r Q c 1 k GI d GIon dI dJ on CO J 4 II I on c j CO I tc J r R C f 14 on GI GIon I U Cheer Squad poses for a group shot Mindi Midi Yost Contributing Writer Juggling school and work is hard enough for most college students Cheerleaders top that off with practice performances at sporting events competitions competitions competitions compe compe- and travel After being selected for the squad in April team members spent the summer conditioning and getting ready for the volleyball season During fall and spring semesters the Cheer Squad put in six hours a week at practice and anywhere from two to four hours on weekends cheering at Athletic events They also travel with the teams to away games While it sounds like a lot to balance cheer squad members enjoy the busy schedule and love to perform Cheering at a college level is a lot of hard work but it has been worth the experience and has given me the opportunity opportunity opportunity to meet a lot of people said Lacy Ricks Cheer Squad member The Cheer Squad has been around since about 1995 and has grown from afew a afew afew few members to a squad of thirty The Cheer Squad consists of nine yell-leaders yell and nine cheerleaders who handle all the stunting and tumbling rumbling The squad also has ten to twelve who perform perform perform per per- form at the halftime dances In addition to their other duties mem- mem Cheer Squad Cont on Page 3 Cheer Squad Cont Cant from front bers bens of the Cheer Squad are expected to maintain a 25 This past semester seventeen members of the squad maintained maintained maintained main main- a 30 with eight of them at a 35 and above Along with the thrill of performing performing performing per per- forming comes the pain of sprained ankles bruised limbs and torn muscles Many underestimate underestimate underestimate the physical work that goes into cheerleading Just ask Erik Brown and Adam Nelson who were working out in the LAC gym when they were approached by some cheerleaders cheerlead cheerlead- ers and persuaded to come give it a try They never anticipated how much work it would would take Cheerleading is a lot more challenging and requires more endurance than I could have ever imagined It works muscles that you never knew you had said Nelson As part of the squad Brown and Nelson have seen their physical physical physical phys phys- ical endurance and strength improve dramatically as well as their social life Any guy can do this if they really apply themselves Its It's really fun but it takes a lot of effort The social part of it has been fun too as I met my fiancee e eon on the squad said Brown The Cheer Squad also competes competes competes com com- petes nationally They competed in the USA Collegiate Nationals bringing home third place in the open dance division Tryouts for the Cheer Squad will be held April 25 2526 26 and 27 The Student Life Leadership office can be reached at for more information |