Cheerleaders bring the energy
When a Troy flyer soars above the student section during a timeout, the crowd sees a few seconds of flight. What makes those seconds possible is hours of practice, often late into the evening.
“We practice hard; we are athletes,” said Shelby Kelly, a flyer on Troy’s Cheer team and senior interprofessional health science.
Kelly has cheered for nine years. The team practices four nights a week: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday practices run from 7 to 10:30 p.m., and Wednesday is for stunts only. The trainer reviews videos of every stunt and sends each athlete written feedback, so they arrive at the next practice exactly knowing what should be fixed.
Omarion Sneed, a senior in elementary education from Andalusia, Alabama, and base on the cheerleading team, said preparation is what game day looks easy.
“Cheerleading takes a lot of physical strength, teamwork, trust and mental toughness,” Sneed said. “There is so much more to it than just smiling and cheering.
“We put in countless hours to make everything look effortless. “
As a flyer, Kelly is the one in the air. She said the pressure of performing in front of a crowd helps them sharpen the skills it will need in nationals.
“It’s nerve-wracking, but in the end, it helps,” Kelly said.
From the stands, those stunts are the highlight. Alva Strojstand, a senior in criminology major, from Sweden, said flips are her favorite part of the cheerleader's performance.
“I always get amazed at how they can do that stuff,” Strojstand said. “Especially when the guys send the girls up in one arm - I am amazed.”
Strojstand said a game without cheerleaders would be dead.
“[Cheerleaders] bring the energy and they pump everybody up,” Strojstand said.
When a stunt falls, the team has a motto: get up and try again.
“Let’s figure out what we lacked on, and then let’s try again the next time,” Kelly said. “Really, all it takes is reps”
Sneed said the mindset carries over the tough days.
“Sometimes you have to remind yourself why you started and trust the hard work you have put in,” Sneed said.
Balancing it all while being a student takes discipline.
“You learn time management. You learn how to hold yourself at a higher standard,” Shelby said. “Once it gets ingrained in your head, you can’t lose it.”
The squad of 51 is also a support system, especially for the freshmen.
Kelly says small gestures of support mean a lot. For example, women’s basketball coach
Chanda Rigby makes a point of thanking the cheerleaders after the game.
“I don’t think she realizes how much that means to all of us,” Kelly said.
Some fans want to show their support, too. Strojstand said she would love to see some cheer merchandise, depending on the price.
Students can see the team at its best at the national showcase in Trojan Arena in late December. The showcase is open to the public right before the squad leaves for nationals. Shelby’s dream is to see the arena full.
“Cheerleading is an incredible sport to watch,” Shelby said.
For Sneed, the motivation is simple.
“I want to make the most out of every opportunity, because I know not everyone gets a chance to experience college cheerleading,” Sneed said.
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