Cheer tryouts at Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) spark many conversations among students. These may seem simple, yet they require an immense amount of hard work.
Some students trying out for the team have a variety of experience, ranging from a lot of practice with the sport to none at all, whether it is dance, tumbling, or being on the cheer team previously. Tryouts take place from April 14 to 17.
During the season, the Lady Jags cheer team trains and performs at games and competitions constantly. Training can mean a multitude of different things, from lifting weights in the weight room to perfecting their routines. The Lady Jags cheer coaches refuse to let the team go to shambles, working hard to make sure their team is one of the best in the county.
These tryouts demand full effort from every player, as the coaches make sure that the team stays competitive. By limiting the number of players on the team, the team only ends up with top-tier members who keep the group strong.
Coaches watch closely, keeping an eye open for perfection; they look for the best of the best. Candidates execute stunts, jumps, and full routines with sharp timing and visible skill. One error in form can drop an applicant’s score, so each person keeps concentration and holds onto their strength until their time is up.
“I prepared for tryouts by stretching and working out [my] core, given that those are the most important for my stunt position,” junior Laura Cervantes comments.
Physical talent matters, but spirit carries equal weight in the coach’s eyes. They search for the athletes who trust themselves the most. A candidate who has never cheered before can still catch the coach’s eye if they show genuine excitement or show the most spirit.
“I was able to make the team starting with zero cheer experience, and it was an opportunity I was so grateful for,” junior Gabriela Ganen remarks.
Tryouts test both the mind and body, as each candidate must perform multiple routines, cheers, and dance sequences by memory in a short period of time. Fresh jumps and stunts can seem like the most complicated part of tryouts, as they can strain muscles, but for many, it is actually the first attempt at tumbling that can drain the most energy.
Tension rises as every move is watched by the coaches; athletes often feel as if their steps are stiff or even rushed because of this. Repeated rehearsals, steady concentration, and an optimistic outlook allow these girls to push past fatigue and doubt and make the team.
As the tryouts for the Lady Jags cheer squad place each athlete trying out under strain, persistence, heart, and not giving up are what will mean the most in the long run. A spot on the roster arrives only when an athlete has good technique, a positive outlook, and a good spirit. Tryouts give a sense of achievement to those who can put in the work and earn the uniform.
