You can’t have a football game without cheerleaders to lead the excited students in encouragement for our players. Whether it’s on the court, or outside on the field, the cheerleaders bring the pep and pride to our games. What they do is no small feat and it’s great to see what happens behind the scenes.
Every Monday they meet for 2 ½ hours where they first change and go over upcoming games. By 4:00 p.m. they’re out on the track running for deep conditioning. Deep conditioning is done because the cheerleaders must have enough strength in their upper body and legs in order to throw and catch girls safely. While the girls were deep conditioning, I had a chance to talk to the new cheer coach, Mrs. Sandlin, a brand new Texas History teacher stated, “I love getting to teach these girls about school spirit and how to be a good team player. These are very important things to learn in middle school to me.” She also explained why she does deep conditioning with the cheer team at that time. “We try to [deep condition] out in the heat because the games are going to take place [outside] so it’s part of conditioning your body to be able to throw and catch your fellow cheerleaders.”
After they complete their workouts they head inside to the gym to go over dances. By 4:35 p.m. they had begun practicing their stunts, which looked insane! Mrs. Sandlin and Mrs. Gill, another new cheer coach who is a math and L.A. interventionist, have done a great job instructing the cheerleaders how to stunt safely. Out of everything the cheerleaders do, they all agreed: Stunts is their favorite part of cheerleading.
The mascots both really enjoying being Marty the Mustang for many reasons, one being they get to make up their own choreography. However, it is really hot in that costume.
The cheerleaders will be cheering for the 8th grade boys basketball teams come November and competing in a district showcase, Fusion on January 25, 2015. Fusion is where all the middle schools and high schools of Round Rock ISD will be able to show off their skills. But for now, be sure to come to the football games every Tuesday and watch our football teams and cheerleaders give it their all in the Texas heat.
