Expert: James - 11/29/2009

Question
Hey, okay so I am on my high school's varsity squad. I've been cheering for about 6 years but I have always been a base and occasionally a back spot. I have NEVER been a flyer. I'm 5'7 and 130 pounds, not the build of a flyer whatsoever and I'm a solid base. I want to cheer in college but is it possible? I know all schools are different. But at most schools with coed squads will they want me to know how to fly or will it not matter if my tumbling and jumps are good enough? I tried researching it, but I cannot figure it out. Help please! :)

Answer
Yea, the blunt matter is if you go to a major university most will want you to be able to fly. Just because to be honest even if you're a great tumbler, there are going to be great tumblers there that are tiny and can fly. HOwever, that being said it is definitely not IMPOSSIBLE. Seek out a university that has an all-girls team. Some actually do and Louisville's for instance is nationally recognized. Also (and please don't take this the wrong way but you said you'd never flown) if you're a great tumbler and could learn to partner stunt a bit ive seen a couple universities that would more than likely take you on their JV team. When I cheered we had a girl about in your situaiton (she wasnt quite that tall but she was muscular and just unfortunately a little too big for what they were looking for in terms of a flyer) that cheered her 2 yrs on JV and realized that she wasnt the tiny girl that was going to cheer on varsity and had a great time with it. So no, nothing is impossible. You jus thave to work hard and seek out the right situation for yourself.