Muleskinner

Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Homecoming 2006

crowd pleaser- Sara Wilke, UCM cheerleading captain, cheers at Saturday's game against Missouri Western.

They're at all the home games, jumping and throwing promotional items into the stands. They're always excited and work hard to get the spectators to feel the same way. They do dangerous stunts, tumble and encourage the team. The cheerleaders are an important part of Central sports.

Sara Wilke, senior communication major, says that she has been cheering for about 2 1/2 years, and that she has been the captain for two years. To stay on the cheerleading team, you must take a least 12 credit hours per semester, maintain a 2.0 GPA, meet the required two practices a week and perform at all home games. Tumbling skills are required, and it is always good to have prior collegiate performing skills.

Sophomore Angela Bert has been cheering since junior high school. She is cheering for her second year at UCM and is the representative for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Bert said cheerleading is funded through the university like any other sport, but if necessary, they have the option to fund raise.
Anne Best, UCM alumna and cheerleading coach, has been involved with the cheerleaders for six years. She said the retention rates are good. Most students start as freshmen and cheer through their senior year. One student cheered through his graduate program.

Best said the team is very competitive and she would like to compete as a squad this year. In fact, the competition in January 2005 produced three winners. Lindsey Fech and Justin McCoy placed 4th in best collegiate partners and Jocelyn Parker placed 4th in best collegiate jumper.

Before tryouts, clinics are conducted. Here, co-ed stunting is taught because most students may not have cheered with the opposite sex before college.

When it comes to learning new routines, Best explained it generally takes four weeks to perfect. The routine is first broken down, counts are added, and, if necessary, placed to music.

When it comes to safety, all precautions are taken. Because cheering is a dangerous sport, whenever a stunt is performed, spotters are provided on both sides of the person performing the stunt. They are there to catch, help balance and maintain safety. The most common injuries are sprained ankles, due to the tumbling and jumping.

The big week for the cheerleaders is homecoming week. The cheerleaders will participate in the homecoming parade, distributing promotional items and candy. They also will be active in the pep assembly, and will cheer on the crowd at the homecoming game.

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