Cheerleading. What do all those athletes on the sidelines do? Just like every other sport, these students have to put in the time. Not only do they have practices including lifting throughout the week, but also have games and appearances to make. Colorado Mesa University’s team is a nationally competitive team.
“I came to CMU because they are the most competitive team to cheer for in Colorado,” senior cheer member Ashlyn Day said.
The team stays busy with twice a week practice from 6-9 p.m. and twice a week weights from 6-7 p.m. The rest of the week is dedicated to accompanying different varsity teams to their events.
“Their [practices] are hard and demanding which helps us improve our skills,” Captain Mackenzie Brown said.
Day explained that practice begins with a timed mile. They continue to do 10 standing tucks, stunting sequences for games and their demo for halftime performances.
“It’s like a full-time job,” Day said.
This year, the team brought in a new head coach, Connor Charlesworth, who has pushed them with these practices. Brown explained how he is a tough coach. But, most coaches are because that is the way to push and excel athletic teams.
“Our busiest season is probably now,” Brown said. “We have football and secondary events while trying to prepare for our demo performance at state in December and nationals in February.”
Basketball and football are the main sports events that they cheer on the sidelines for.
“Our team values are supporting not only teams but the school overall,” Brown said.
But they are they are at other events like volleyball, soccer and wrestling, where they may perform halftime performances.
“Community-wise we do a bunch of events at the college like wine fest, hoedown and convocation,” Brown said.
As for the current football season, the cheer team has a packed day with all the events leading up to the big game. Brown explained the process of game day. First, the cheer team meets at Stocker Stadium to warm up their skills. From there they head over to the practice field on campus, where they meet up with the football team. They then proceed to lead the team over to Stocker Stadium.
“From there we go to the tailgate and talk and stunt around students,” Brown said. “We do pregame with the band and now will be standing in the south end zone in front of the alumni for the game.”
Throughout the game, the team with be stunting in the end zone during timeouts but will be in front of the student section during quarters. Then there will be a halftime performance.
Not all of their time has to be spent on the fields or in front of the crowds. The team also takes time to be like all other college sports, to bond and make friendships.
“Overall we are a pretty goofy team, we do a lot of things together and that makes for a great team/family,” Brown said. “A lot of my close friends are my teammates.”
They make sure to have team bonding time by doing some activity at least once a month. Brown said that they also do random things together like the rise and shine yoga, movies or the hot springs.
The team is expected to perform at a high level and also be role models for the rest of the school and athletic program.
“Personally it’s helped me stay motivated and has really taught me a lot and kind of made me grow,” Brown said. “It’s really made me into the person I am and who I want to be, as cliche as that sounds.”
Both Brown and Day have been apart of the CMU cheer team for the past four years. Day isn’t sure what she will do following graduation, but knows she still wants to cheer. Brown will be around for a 5th year on the cheer team.
As the year progresses, the team will constantly be turning up the school spirit at events of all sorts. As well as prepare for their upcoming competitions of their own.
