By GABRIELLE SAUPE – Sports Editor
Former CCHS varsity cheerleader class of 2006 Brandi Gilbert teaches girls trying out a chant and a cheer. They will be expected to perform one individually, which will decide their spot on next year’s squad.
Emphasizing leadership skills, Clarke Central High School varsity cheer- leading Coach Summer Tuggle has instituted a new try-out protocol.
When asked who her ideal cheerleader is, Clarke Central High School varsity cheerleading coach Summer Tuggle says that she wants someone who is literally a cheer-leader: a student who is both passionate about represent- ing their school and is a positive role model to their peers.
“I look for girls who can do the jumps and stunts that are required, someone who gets along well with others and someone who is spirited and really has a heart for their school,” Tuggle said.
For this year’s tryouts, Tuggle has introduced teacher recommendations as a requirement for girls hoping to join the squad. Each student trying out for the team is required to have three teacher recommendations.
“(The recommendations) ask about things like: Dependability, punctuality, positive attitude, attentiveness, effort, ability to work with others, motivation, class room behavior, respect and abil- ity to follow directions. And those are all basically things that would make you a good team member as well as a good representative for CCHS: an ambassador,” Tuggle said.
By implementing the teacher recommendations into the tryout process, Tuggle hopes to gain insight into each contender and how they truly act as a student and athlete.
After tryouts are complete, the judges compile final scores for each cheerleader. In the final scores, recommendations and the judges input is included.
“The teachers rank the students on a scale from one to five, equaling 50 total points for each student, and then we come out with the most objective score possible. The judges piece being weighted more (80 or 90 percent), based on what the judges see,” Tuggle said.
Clarke Central High School students participate in a clinic to prepare them for cheerleading try-outs. “We want a cohesive team that is stronger in our stunting and our cheering,” CCHS varsity cheerleading coach Summer Tuggle said. If they obtain a spot on next year’s squad, they will be expected to lead more than just cheers.
To prepare for tryouts, which were held on May 3, the cheerleaders were recommended to participate in a week of optional conditioning, which encompassed running, stretching and core exercises. The cheerleaders were also coached on some specific drills to improve their jumping and stunts.
“I think the conditioning is a good opportunity to actually see what it’s like to be a cheerleader and what is expected of you. I’ve never done condition- ing (before), but I think it’s a good experience, because it helps to get your butterflies out and to practice. conditioning help you with techniques,” CCHS junior and varsity cheerleader Kristolyn Long said.
Not only is the week of conditioning a good chance to get in shape and understand what is expected of a potential cheerleader, but it also also gives coaches an idea of which cheerleaders are dedicated and willing to work hard individually and for the team.
“Conditioning was fun. Ms. Tuggle really puts her heart into cheerleading and wants everyone to enjoy it as much as she does,” Long said. “Conditioning really helped me and also the other people who came to conditioning, so I think it’s something they should always considering doing.”
Along with the teacher recommendations and conditioning, Tuggle looks at a student’s discipline records, and ensures each athlete is academically eligible to cheer. She expects her squad to positively represent CCHS.
“(Cheerleaders are) very visible, very recogniz- able and people look up to them. Little elementary kids come to the football games and want to be like them, so I just think you have a responsibility to represent your school well,” Tuggle said.
