Story by Matthew Morris
The NMSU cheer squad poses at the March 2009 national competition. (Photo courtesy of NMSU Athlethics)
The New Mexico State University coed cheerleading squad placed third last year at the USA Nationals competition in Anaheim, Calif., and will be returning to improve this year but with both squads instead of just one.
“Whenever I took over, that was my big thing was that they needed to attend a competition,” said head coach Jessica Franklin. “That gives them something to work towards as opposed to just tumbling at games.”
It’s not easy, however, to be an NMSU cheerleader. There is a tryout in May, and anybody can try out for either the coed or all-girl squad. For the coed squad, there are no more than eight girls that make the squad and 10-to-12 men. The men have to be bigger in order to lift the girls, and the girls have to be fit and in shape in order to fit into the “unforgiving” cheer uniform for both squads.
Skills and dedication required
A new requirement that Franklin administered this year is that everybody trying out must have a minimum of a standing and round-off back handspring in order to try out.
There are about 50 people who are kept for both squads of the 100-plus who try out, but that doesn’t solidify anybody’s spot. If a student’s grades or skills aren’t up to par, there are cuts made through the middle of September.
Both squads practice three times a week in addition to a required two-times-a-week visit to the Coca-Cola weight lifting facility, 50 hours of community service per semester, cheering at games and other events, and, oh yeah, they have to attend class as well.
“Between practices and other appearances, on most of our days off we have a game” said Raquel Padilla, the only senior on the all girl squad.”It is just a very, very, busy schedule.”
There are three collegiate national competitions, and Franklin said she hopes to make it to two this year. They will return to Anaheim and the other possible competition is in Florida.
The NMSU cheer squads can be seen in action at all home NMSU volleyball, basketball and football games.
