Cheer squad leaps toward a new season
Campus Times
September 13, 1996
With a returning squad of 12 members and a enthusiastic number of new recruits,
cheerleading is looking to an interesting year.
Try-outs are being held today starting at 6 p.m. Five returning seniors
will be given automatic positions but everyone else must try out.
A cheer clinic was held on Wednesday, Sept. 11 to teach the required dance
routine and cheer for the try outs. Returning cheerleaders, dressed in full
uniforms, participated and led the women while giving words of encouragement.
Individual attention was also provided to make sure everyone understood
what would be required.
A warm up was led by co captain, Karla Molina to get the women stretched
out and prepared for the rest of the morning. Four of the returning cheerleaders
than taught the women the cheer. Returning cheerleader, Makayla Benjamin,
went over jumps. Right and left leg kick are some of the things the women
learned.
Try-outs are being run differently this year. Instead of having the clinic
and try outs in one day, like last year, there will be a few days in between
to perfect the techniques.
The hopeful addition of some men cheerleaders will put the ULV squad on
a more competitive edge, according to adviser, Deborah Burris-Kitchen. With
men, the squad will be able to do a lot more stunts and will have more stunt
leaders. A shoulder sit, shoulder stand, elevator, and a liberty are some
of the stunts that can be achieved with men cheerleaders.
Jared Ellis, a freshman trying out, cheered at his high school for two years.
"I want to bring some of my experience in,"said Ellis. "
It will be interesting to see the difference between high school and college
competition."
A lot of freshman are enthusiastic about trying out. Jennifer Blake, a freshman,
wanted to stay involved since she does not live on campus. She chose cheerleading
as her way of involvement because of four OWL's (Orientation Week Leaders)
who spoke highly of the program.
"I'd just like to get out there and support the school," she said.
There are no set numbers on how many women or men will be chosen. The returning
cheerleaders are open to new ideas.
"You guys are new. Teach us and we'll teach you," said Nadia Lopez,
returning cheerleader, at the orientation meeting.
Senior Tieu-My Nguyen has seen cheerleading develop over the four years
since she has been a participant. Reflecting back, she realizes that the
quantity of girls, the quality of cheerleading and the spirit has grown.
"Little by little I see more support," she said.
If accepted, the expenses for the women will be well under $300. There will
be less costs for males, who are only required to buy a Polo shirt and green
shorts.
Cheerleaders will also be required to attend a cheerleading camp held by
the NCA (National Cheerleading Association) at Cal State Northridge. It
was there that Burris-Kitchen, realized the team was not prepared for competition
in the highest forms.
Teams there had a lot more members, including males, and had more gymnastic
ability that the ULV squad just does not have yet. With a dedicated team,
however, Burris-Kitchen believes that all these things are possible.
One of the future plans of the cheerleading team is to attend a gymnastic
clinic with Pomona High School.
The returning cheerleaders will be attending the first football game on
Sept. 14 at Azusa Pacific University. The new cheerleaders will be showing
off their stuff before the first home game which is Oct .5. They will be
cheering throughout the football and basketball season and going to volleyball
and baseball games this year.