Spring Break
Jumps, Toe Touches and Flips on a Different Level
Cheerleaders fly high as a competitive sport
Calvin Gibson
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: Sports
Just a year ago, cheerleading was just known as a spirit squad that helped root for the football and basketball teams at home games, but now they are setting their own mark.
Led by head coach, Rachel Magness, the Hawks enter their first year as a competition squad.
In just their first week together as a squad, the Hawks received recognition as Most Improved Overall at the NCA cheerleading camp in Myrtle Beach this past summer.
"The recognition that we received and the things we learned at the NCA camp has definitely helped us prepare for the upcoming season. It also brought us closer together," said senior Brittany Dobbs.
With an outstanding result of a 42-person roster, the squad has been split up into two groups: co-ed and an all girl squad. Both groups placed second at the NCA camp among the likes of Louisville, Clemson, and others.
To make the momentum rise even more, the co-ed squad received a partial bid and the all girls squad received an invitation to another NCA camp, which will be held later this year.
Shorter cheerleaders are not just about supporting sports but becoming a sport of their own.
Junior Adrienne Gaither said, " Cheerleading is finally accepted as a sport, not only at Shorter, but worldwide."
The cheerleaders are not only excited about their sport but also the support from the athletic department.
"We always made suggestions to our athletic director, Bill Peterson, and he believed in us and found us a great coach and a facility," said Dobbs.
Partial and full scholarships are being given out, which means more talented individuals can be recruited rather than trying to compose a team of all try-outs.
Traveling is also going to be a part of Hawks schedule this season. The Hawks plan to travel to Panama City, Florida and Daytona Beach, Florida. Not to mention the recent four hour drive to Cullowhee, North Carolina to support the football team on their first game of the season.
With that being said, school is not all back flips and bus rides for the Hawks. In order to compete, all members must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher. If these requirements are not met, study hall will be mandatory.
The Hawks will also be involved in community service work as well as special appearances throughout Rome, Ga.
If you want to see the Hawks in action, you can catch them at all home games for basketball and football, as well as on ESPN when they show off their routine at Nationals.
Led by head coach, Rachel Magness, the Hawks enter their first year as a competition squad.
In just their first week together as a squad, the Hawks received recognition as Most Improved Overall at the NCA cheerleading camp in Myrtle Beach this past summer.
"The recognition that we received and the things we learned at the NCA camp has definitely helped us prepare for the upcoming season. It also brought us closer together," said senior Brittany Dobbs.
With an outstanding result of a 42-person roster, the squad has been split up into two groups: co-ed and an all girl squad. Both groups placed second at the NCA camp among the likes of Louisville, Clemson, and others.
To make the momentum rise even more, the co-ed squad received a partial bid and the all girls squad received an invitation to another NCA camp, which will be held later this year.
Shorter cheerleaders are not just about supporting sports but becoming a sport of their own.
Junior Adrienne Gaither said, " Cheerleading is finally accepted as a sport, not only at Shorter, but worldwide."
The cheerleaders are not only excited about their sport but also the support from the athletic department.
"We always made suggestions to our athletic director, Bill Peterson, and he believed in us and found us a great coach and a facility," said Dobbs.
Partial and full scholarships are being given out, which means more talented individuals can be recruited rather than trying to compose a team of all try-outs.
Traveling is also going to be a part of Hawks schedule this season. The Hawks plan to travel to Panama City, Florida and Daytona Beach, Florida. Not to mention the recent four hour drive to Cullowhee, North Carolina to support the football team on their first game of the season.
With that being said, school is not all back flips and bus rides for the Hawks. In order to compete, all members must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher. If these requirements are not met, study hall will be mandatory.
The Hawks will also be involved in community service work as well as special appearances throughout Rome, Ga.
If you want to see the Hawks in action, you can catch them at all home games for basketball and football, as well as on ESPN when they show off their routine at Nationals.
Be the first to comment on this story