Cheerleading Requires Skill

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   Cheerleading is often considered a "girl's activity" and not a sport  in which guys also participate. The University of Arkansas at Monticello's cheerleading squad consists of 10 athletes, six girls and four guys.

   First-year students interested in trying out must bring with them three letters of recommendation from anyone other than a family member, a minimum composite ACT score of 18 and at least a 2.0 high school grade point or rank in the upper 50 percent of their high school graduating class.

   As for skills, they must complete three consecutive "whip toe touches," one cheer and one chant, "standing back handspring" with no spot,  "standing back tuck" with one spot, "round off back handspring" series which consists of three or more "back handsprings," and one optional  running or standing tumbling of their choice. Co-eds are required to  do "toss to shoulders" (pop-off), "toss to hands extension or toss to  extension" (cradle), "walk in hands" (cradle), liberty (pop-off) and  an optional exercise which must be a combination of three stunts.

   Remember, those requirements are just for the tryout. Once on the squad, the real workout begins.

   "We practice on average of about six hours a week," said Trey Harrod,  a second-year squad member. "Maybe more if we have a big performance such as homecoming. We run everyday for at least 20 minutes and two mornings out of the week we run at 6 a.m."

   All cheerleaders must meet all squad requirements such as morning  runs and all practices, games and specials events. Also, they must keep a 2.0 GPA along with being enrolled in 12 hours to keep their  scholarship which is full paid for captains.

   "I used to look at cheerleading as an activity, not a sport, but that  is no longer the case," Harrod said. "Our girls and guys are college athletes, and anyone who disagrees needs to tryout and find out for themselves. Our girls are as tough as most guys and take more risks."

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