The football team wasn’t the only Jesuit sport that worked hard at practice over the summer. The unsung heroes of the games we attend nearly every Friday were hard at work as well, practicing, refining, and perfecting their routines; giving it their all for the ability to perform at their highest level. This is, of course, in reference to the Jesuit cheerleaders.
Beginning on June 9th, the Jesuit cheer squad practiced twice a week, all summer long, preparing for the recently commenced football season. When asked what the summer practices entailed, Head Coach Ashley Douglas explained that in addition to practices, “the cheerleaders attended a choreography clinic where the girls learned their ‘Home Pom Routine’.”
The cheer squad didn’t just practice over the summer. They also competed, performing the aforementioned routine at a cheer camp. After working during summer practices on their stunts and sideline cheers, their dedication and commitment paid off. “On the last day of camp, the girls received numerous awards,” explained Coach Douglas, proud of the work put in by the team. She expanded by noting that the camp has helped them gear up for the incoming football and basketball seasons.
Douglas, in regard to how the preparations over the summer will affect the squad during the year, said that “the cheerleaders’ hard work and dedication both during summer practices and at cheer camp has prepared them for another awesome year.” She elaborated by explaining, “the skills that they learned during practice and camp will be implemented into the girls’ sideline and halftime/pre-game performances.” Douglas believes that due to the “time commitment, dedication, and heart that they put in during summer practices and at cheer camp,” they have vastly improved, and that these improvements will assist them as the year wears on. She described the overall camp experience as “extremely beneficial,” viewing it as a bonding experience between teammates. She went on to explain that it allowed the group as a whole to “become aware of what they are capable of under pressure, and reinforce the fact that their commitment to this elite program is well worth it.”
When asked what she is most looking forward to this year, Douglas explained that she is “looking forward to having the opportunity to perform more this year, and also to another great football season!” Douglas also mentioned that she hopes the girls will hopefully begin “receiving more recognition for their efforts.”
Cheering for the players on the field and court isn’t their only responsibility. Along with pumping up the crowd during the game comes performing stunts that require definite athletic prowess. Highlighting the fact that this group deserves more recognition, the Coach expounded on this idea with her hopes for the cheerleaders to be seen as “true athletes rather than sideline rah-rah girls.”
After being asked what she would specifically like us to know, especially regarding the current and upcoming season, Douglas obliged: “We are planning on performing routines at as many home football games as possible. These routines will include stunting, tumbling, jumps, and dancing. J.V. will perform during their halftime, and Varsity will perform pre-game. We will also perform during all home game basketball halftimes.”
Douglas concluded the correspondence with the fitting message, “Be sure to show your support!” Just as the cheerleaders give their support for the football team, try to do the same for them while they perform on the field by attending as many Jesuit sports events as possible.
