NewsAthleticsUpper SchoolStudent Life
Cheerleaders take sport seriously
Jul 30, 2002 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Cheerleading is not for the meek or faint. There is so much more to cheerleading than learning cheers and routines and decorating lockers. There is no doubt that Darlington cheerleaders are athletes. They practice intensively, compete, and are required to submit a summer workout schedule to head cheerleading coach Angela Pieroni. Their workout regiments must reflect activities to keep them physically fit and improve their tumbling skills. Weightlifting is a must. In addition, some of the cheerleaders are required to work on injury rehabilitation and all-star practices.
Preparations for football season do not begin with the school year. Every weekday in May these athletes met for practice. At the end of the month 25 Darlington junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders attended Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) camp at Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
While at the camp, varsity cheerleaders focused on mastering skills and learning new materials. They also tried to find ways to increase crowd involvement during events. “When combined with our enthusiasm and teamwork, our outstanding skills were apparent,” Pieroni said. “This is a squad who is not afraid to work hard and go the extra mile for the School.” Varsity received all superior ribbons, won Camp Champ in the cheer division, and took home the spirit stick. As a result of earning a first-place trophy, the squad was invited to cheer in the Citrus Bowl pre-game show. Christina Elliott earned all-star qualification. This gives her the chance to cheer in the London Parade over the New Year. Captain Stephanie Corwin and co-captain Lindsay Doss qualified to cheer at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Also at the camp, the junior varsity squad earned the Most Improved trophy and Strom Mull qualified for junior varsity all-stars –allowing her to cheer in a Disneyworld parade.
After camp, their fitness regiments continued along with preparations for the upcoming football season. According to Pieroni, like all teams, they must be physically fit and work well together to have a safe and skilled squad. “There is an incredible amount of enthusiasm and determination. This is a fun group. These girls have to be fit in order to lift or be lifted. Three minutes of yelling, dancing, and lifting is not easy. Then try to do it while smiling,” Pieroni explained. “And they must be able to communicate effectively. A stunt group that doesn’t work together is a stunt group that doesn’t work. There is a constant need to check and recheck to make certain that everyone has the same routine and is in the correct place.”
They learn to work together off the practice field, as well. In August, they are hosting the annual cheerleading clinic for lower and middle school students. Also in an effort to work together, they created and are each placed on committees within the squad to effectively plan for events and fundraising.
And the cheerleaders are working together to build School spirit. They started by inquiring at the cheerleading camp and have continued to come up with new and innovative was to increase Tiger pride by brainstorming. “We want to get the whole School involved –encouraging them to wear School colors and stripes to support competitions,” Pieroni said. “This group is committed to raising the level of enthusiasm, not just at the football games, but the overall level of excitement in the School.”
Preparations for football season do not begin with the school year. Every weekday in May these athletes met for practice. At the end of the month 25 Darlington junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders attended Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) camp at Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
While at the camp, varsity cheerleaders focused on mastering skills and learning new materials. They also tried to find ways to increase crowd involvement during events. “When combined with our enthusiasm and teamwork, our outstanding skills were apparent,” Pieroni said. “This is a squad who is not afraid to work hard and go the extra mile for the School.” Varsity received all superior ribbons, won Camp Champ in the cheer division, and took home the spirit stick. As a result of earning a first-place trophy, the squad was invited to cheer in the Citrus Bowl pre-game show. Christina Elliott earned all-star qualification. This gives her the chance to cheer in the London Parade over the New Year. Captain Stephanie Corwin and co-captain Lindsay Doss qualified to cheer at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Also at the camp, the junior varsity squad earned the Most Improved trophy and Strom Mull qualified for junior varsity all-stars –allowing her to cheer in a Disneyworld parade.
After camp, their fitness regiments continued along with preparations for the upcoming football season. According to Pieroni, like all teams, they must be physically fit and work well together to have a safe and skilled squad. “There is an incredible amount of enthusiasm and determination. This is a fun group. These girls have to be fit in order to lift or be lifted. Three minutes of yelling, dancing, and lifting is not easy. Then try to do it while smiling,” Pieroni explained. “And they must be able to communicate effectively. A stunt group that doesn’t work together is a stunt group that doesn’t work. There is a constant need to check and recheck to make certain that everyone has the same routine and is in the correct place.”
They learn to work together off the practice field, as well. In August, they are hosting the annual cheerleading clinic for lower and middle school students. Also in an effort to work together, they created and are each placed on committees within the squad to effectively plan for events and fundraising.
And the cheerleaders are working together to build School spirit. They started by inquiring at the cheerleading camp and have continued to come up with new and innovative was to increase Tiger pride by brainstorming. “We want to get the whole School involved –encouraging them to wear School colors and stripes to support competitions,” Pieroni said. “This group is committed to raising the level of enthusiasm, not just at the football games, but the overall level of excitement in the School.”
