Sports

University cheer team hosts tryouts

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Enthusiasm, energy and an encouraging attitude are three qualities the Golden Eagles cheerleading team is looking for as they recruit for next season.

The John Brown University’s cheer team will host tryouts for the 2015-16 school year this weekend. Madison Spence, freshman, said that the team is looking for energetic and friendly candidates who are willing to commit to the cheer team

“We are looking for someone who has a passion to encourage others, because that is what cheerleading is about,” Spence said. “[Cheerleading] is about putting people before yourself and making sure that they know they are valued.”

Even though the team is seeking certain skills, Alyssa Garza, senior, encouraged girls to attend and enjoy the experience.

“Don’t worry about what skill you have,” Garza said in regard to tryouts. “Just have fun with it.”

Garza expressed that it is a unique experience to be part of the cheerleading team.

“It is a once in a lifetime experience, and if you want to be more involved with JBU, this is a great opportunity to do so,” Garza said.

DSC_3965 copyRachel Baack, sophomore, expressed that the environment of the tryouts is friendly and comfortable.

“We’ll try to do everything we can to help you learn the dance and the cheers,” Baack said. It is really laid back.”

Baack said that when she went to the tryouts last year, it mainly consisted of learning a dance, a cheer and a chant that were taught by the members of the team.

“We would learn a dance and a cheer when we got there, and then we have time to practice just those,” Baack said. “Then we would all leave the room and go in one at a time and show what we just learned.”

Baack also said that if the candidate knows tumbling and stunts, they can display their talent at the tryout. She said that the team is specifically looking for girls that can do tumbling and stunts.

Spence said that when she went to the tryouts, the girls received her with a warm and inviting attitude.

“The girls made sure I was included even though it was not a cheer-related thing,” Spence said.

Baack and Spence said that the opportunity to attend the basketball games is an exciting aspect of becoming a cheerleader. Baack also said that coach Williamson notifies the candidates who were accepted via email.

“The second time I tried out, we got an email within 24 hours just listing the people who made the team,” Baack said.

Spence said that students that have an interest in being part of the cheer team should email Coach Elicia Williamson.

“Email Elicia so she knows who is gonna be there, but you can just come,” Spence said.

Spence said that overall, the team is looking for energetic and friendly candidates who are willing to commit to in this activity.

“We are looking for someone who has a passion to encourage others, because that is what cheerleading is about,” Spence said. “[Cheerleading] is about putting people before yourself and making sure that they know they are valued.”

Cheer tryouts will take place on Sunday, April 10 in Murray Sells Gymnasium from 2-4 p.m.

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