Expert: Chrissy Torres - 3/1/2009

Question
Hey Chrissy - I'm Samantha. I'm thirteen and in the eighth grade. I want to try out for our high schools cheer team, and tryouts are sometime in the spring. I honestly have no experience whatsoever - other then the fact I've watched about a million cheer movies and can do a cartwheel. Our cheer squad isn't competitive - so I don't need to know how to do any fancy moves, only cartwheels and splits and basic things like flying and basing. I weigh about 115 pounds, and I'm not sure if this is too much to be a flyer . I'm not flexible at all - but I'm gearing up for tryouts and doing every workout and excersise plan out there - even with snow on the ground . I'm wondering if you have any advice for me, on being a first time cheerleader ?

Answer
Hi Samantha,
I would just say to get to know a few girls on the squad and have them teach you a few cheers or ask them what they do at practice. Then at least you know how the team works. About being a flyer, it all depends on the size of the girls on your team. But 115 on an all girl team is pretty standard. Work hard and good luck!