The Cheer News

True Life: I’m Competitive with My Friends

Do you feel like you’re in constant competition with a friend or friends, and it’s all coming down to one final contest in the near future? Is every outing, game, exam, or party another chance to one-up each other? Are other people always comparing you to each other? Has it gotten to the point where you can’t be around each other without competing? Does it seem like the situation is driving you apart and that your friendship might not survive the final competition? If so, MTV wants to hear from you.

If you appear to be between the ages of 16 and 28, and you are in an intense competition with a friend or friends—with a big test, contest, game, or other turning point on the horizon—email us at competitive@mtvn.com with all of the details. Tell us when and how your competitive sides come out, whether it be on dates, during sports, at auditions, at work, at school, or elsewhere. Please be sure to include your name, location, phone number and a photo, if possible.

The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette has a story about the Ohio State Buckeye’s All-Girl cheerleading squad tacking 2nd place at the National Cheerleaders Association’s Championships. The NCA Championships where held in Daytona Beach on April 11.

The Buckeyes’ squad shook off a shaky performance in the preliminary round of the event before bouncing back to stun perennial power Louisville for the runner-up finish. The second-place finish was the best in the club’s history.

“When we found out how we finished, the seniors were crying,” Jena Friesner said. “I was shocked. No one could believe what happened. When we were going into the prelims, I don’t think we were even thinking about beating Louisville or Maryland.

Read the full story…

According to a post in Cheer In College, Texas A&M University-Commerce has just started a new cheerleading squad. Texas A&M University-Commerce is located in Commerce, Tx. Which is just northeast of Dallas. Check it out for a list of the squads members and some pictures of the squad in action.

Read the full post…

Inside Cheerleading has a great article on how to stay hydrated while working out of at the gym practicing. Including Tips to Stay Hydrated, Fluids to avoid as well as other things.

Thirst is an insensitive indicator for the need for water. In other words, if you are thirsty you have already let your body get dehydrated.

Water vs. Sports Drinks:

There is no difference in the amount of water and sports drinks needed for the first 60 minutes of exercise. You need water the same as you need sports drinks. After 60 minutes, a higher level of sports drinks is needed to replenish electrolytes and minerals lost.

Read Inside Cheerleading’s full article…

Inside Cheerleading has a great article on what is needed to be able to maintain and/or improve your form.

In cheerleading today, it’s not enough just to “throw” a skill. Whether cheering for your school’s football team on the sidelines or taking to the mat front and center for competition, form matters. Here at iC, we want to help you to “perform” your skills and routines rather than “throwing” them. In our Focus on Form segments, we’ll provide tips from experts in their respective fields to help you to be the best. This month, iC’s Gina Pongetti, who holds a Masters in Physical Therapy, helps you to “Touch Those Toes!”

Check them out for a lot of great help

From an article on NBC 25 online

On Saturday, April 12, 2008, the Mott Cheerleaders Club won the first place cheerleading trophy at the Spring 2008 CheerFest Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Mott Cheerleaders Club captured first place in the college pom dance division of the national competition and was presented with the first place trophy and a national championship banner at the event.

MCC also won first place in the CheerFest Nationals competition in 2006, and placed second in 2007.

Read the full article…

I am beginning a new feature today called Video of the Week. I will post a cheerleading related video each week. Check it out!

From an article in The Pine Log.

The SFA Cheerleaders brought home their sixth consecutive national championship from the NCA National Cheerleading competition in Daytona Beach, Fla., last week.

The SFA team won first place for large coed division I.

“It’s an awesome experience for them,” Michael Preston, director of student life, said.

The team consists of 26 female and male members. Twenty of the members competed on the floor against five other college cheerleading teams for the title of national champions. Preston said the SFA cheerleading program is rich in the tradition of winning, and it was a big relief that they were still as good as they thought they were.

The cheerleaders were judged on difficulty of the routine, stunts, choreography, cleanliness, excitement factor and overall collegiate image. Their routine also consisted of a dance portion.

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From the Boston Globe

Jamfest attendants held a moment of silence for Chang the afternoon of the competition. The music was shut off and parents hushed laughing and shouting children in the packed hall of the Mass Mutual Center. Afterwards, an announcer called for a round of applause and the hall exploded with sounds of clapping. Chang’s teammates, who were overseen throughout the competition by an entourage of protective parents, huddled together.

“It’s definitely been rough for them,” said Kim England, the owner of Energized Athletics, the Watertown gym where Chang trained. “You’ve got to understand. They all turned around and saw what was happening. They saw her on the floor.”

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From an article in The Valley Dispatch

Long hours of intense practice paid off as the Academy of Notre Dame’s middle-school cheerleaders walked away with several first-place awards, including overall first place for the second consecutive year.

In addition to taking home the first-place trophy as a squad, the skills of individuals were also recognized. Madison Gouveia of Billerica earned the All-American first place and the All-Star Tumbler first place. Alison Moran of Chelmsford, Meghan McCarthy and Colleen Busnach of Hudson, N.H., Crysta Harris of Tyngsboro and Madison Gouveia shared the Top Stunt Group first place.

Read the full story…