Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

Page 30 text:

Airbound cheerleader Wendy Spegal performs a lofty somersault as co- cheerleaders Todd Falk and Mick Wright prepare to provide a stable lan- ding. The Cardinal squad displayed a variety of traditional as well as in- genious stunts. 26 cheerleaders eAndrew Johnston Practice In precision Cheerleaders’ work pays off in national ranking eby Robin Jo Millse The university’s cheerleading squad was one of 20 selected to compete in the National Cheerleading Association finals. The group’s journey began with a three minute video tape and ended with a l6th place finish among the country’s finest cheerleading squads. The schools that participated in the competition were selected from nearly 100 entries. Each of the universities submitted a tape of cheerleaders per- forming their routine, incorporating dance, tumbling, stunts and a cheer. The squad began practice and train- ing in September. The members generally practiced twice a week for cheering at games, according to Speedway junior Sherri Cork. However, in preparation for the NCA finals, practice time was increased greatly. “After we found out we made the finals, we practiced every day but Wednesday,” Cork said. The practices ran three hours through the week, —d = Se eAndrew Johnston five hours Friday evenings and eight hours on Sundays. Besides practicing their routine, the cheerleaders had heavy workouts. Daily training sessions included runn- ing, aerobics, push-ups and sit-ups, according to Kokomo junior Eric Clouser. “We were really working for endurance,” Clouser said. “Three minutes doesn’t seem like a long time, but when you are doing gym- nastics and stunts, it’s a long time.” The squad’s routine consisted of one cheer, gymnastics, stunts, four pyramids and dancing. The program was choreographed to the songs “Oh, Sheila,” “Hungry Eyes,” and “You Spin Me Around.” After four long months of practice, the cheerleaders headed south to Orlando, Fla., to face their com- petitors. The preliminaries were held Jan. 5, in an outdoor arena at the EPCOT Center. An estimated 4,500 spectators looked on as the 20 squads performed in the first round. The first portion of the competition comprised 25 percent of the squads’ final scores. “It covered technique in building pyramids, stunts and safety,” Clouser said. In the finals, held at the Orange County Civic Center, the squads were judged on choreography, tumbling, personality and overall performance. This portion of the competition was worth 75 percent of the final score. The team’s months of hard work and sacrifice paid off as the squad placed 16th among college cheerleaders in the United States. Cork said, although the members of the squad got on each other's nerves after long hours together, they also got really close. Clouser also felt the time and effort were woth the results. “It was exciting and fun,” Clouser said. “We were treated like celebrities when we were there. We've already started working for next year.” @

Page 29 text:

Rocky Rothrock All work and no play is definitely not the Theta chi motto as Megan Garrett and Kelle Greeson dem- onstrate. The pair displayed the carefree spirit en- joyable for all par- ticipants. Tug-O-Ware 2 5 a

Page 31 text:

Rocky Rothrock Supported by her male cheerleading partner, Theresa Snider raises her arms as well as the crowd’s spirits at a men’s basketball game. Encouraging the team and rousing the crowd were the most im- portant functions of the 12 cheerleaders. Ar Rocky Rothrock PreciS@€ movements and sharp, clear cheers make for a superb cheerleading squad, as the members of the Cardinal squad demonstrate. Their precision led to nation-wide honor and 16th place in the National Cheerleading Association finals in Orlando, Fla. Rocky Rothrock The agony of defeat, if only temporary defeat, can be seen in Todd Falk’s posture. Team support was much more than justa superficial duty for the basketball cheerleaders, who put countless hours and endless energy into their cheering. Gueerlesdereee r(