Cheerleading: A Sport!
What comes with cheerleading

By Allie Morlan 

As a newcomer to Constantine High School, cheerleading became my key to adaptation. Making new friends, adapting to a new school and environment, and letting go of my past surroundings, scared me. At first I did not want to fit in; however, even though I viewed myself as the “new student”, it did not take me long to figure out football dominated Constantine sports. While attending every game, I could not help but observe the cheerleaders who jumped around full of spirit, laughter, smiles, peppiness, and support. Despite the criticisms the other cheerleaders and I witness, such as “Poptart’s”, “Rah Rah’s”, “Cheerleader’s are dumb and ditzy”, “Worthless”, “Conceited”, and “Cheerleading is not a sport,” I decided to disregard the comments and try out for the TEAM.

No more than a week later, I appreciated everything cheerleaders stood for. “We practice memorizing the cheers just as any other team practices their plays,” stated Hannah Russell.

“Cheerleading practice is as hard as any other sport, because we lift for stunts, workout for cardio, and juggle the stresses put on by the coach,” remarks Lindsay McDonald. A football player told one of my fellow cheerleader friends that cheerleading was so easy. He said if only we tried playing football, we would know what hard means. I would love to see this guy work on motions while screaming, looking spirited, smiling, lifting someone and remembering cheer words all at the same time. It takes work to stay that coordinated.

“A hard thing about practices is getting along with your teammates; otherwise things do not go smoothly,” admits Alyson Geisher. Practices include aerobic, muscular and unison activities, as well as the stress and emotional aspects of discipline. Therefore, with 20 girls together at the same time, drama happens. How we recover from it forms the real test.

Cheering at games created the next set of pressures for me. “Games are fun because you get to yell and scream without being shushed,” said Stephanie Blue.

However, Alyson Geisher thinks a little differently. “The hardest thing is getting up in front of the crowd.” As I have experienced cheering at games, I have to overcome any timid feelings. Looking ecstatic and full of energy, jumping around the whole game, and screaming requires a lot of energy. The way we look is not the only obstacle.

“Games can be difficult because we have to concentrate, yet communicate with ways to stay organized,” announced Irene Jacobs.

“Games are difficult because you get yelled at by other cheerleaders a lot!” Kasey Horsley admits. Fans do not understand the stresses and responsibilities that go on at one time. Mistakes can happen through forgetting a cheer, cheering the wrong cheer, entering the court at the wrong time, slipping past the line, getting out of the referee’s way, doing the wrong jump, dropping someone during stunts, smiling, and maintaining enthusiasm during the whole game. Games turn over really fast, especially in basketball; therefore, the cheerleaders have to know the game and what is going on in order to cheer.

“The excitement in leading the crowd in cheers, and them actually participating is AMAZING!” yelled Hannah Russell.