Cheerleaders teach high schoolers new skills

The Troy University cheerleading team held its second stunt clinic of the semester on Sept. 13, and plans to have a final clinic in early October.

High school cheerleaders from across the area filled the Elm Street gym that weekend as they had the opportunity to work with collegiate athletes and coaches to learn new skills.

“A lot of these girls are either learning basing or flying for the first time, or trying new skills,” said Nicolas Laracuente, head coach of the Troy cheer team. “Learning to be available or being able to try something that is out of their comfort zone is always a good thing.”

In addition to high school athletes getting to learn new skills, it allows them to be comfortable cheering at the college level. For the Troy coaches, it gives them the chance to see the next generation of cheerleaders and potentially, the next generation of Trojans.

“Every year we post stuff about our clinics to sit there and get more athletes on campus,” Laracuente said. “It's also a recruiting tool for us to sit there and get talent to be a part of Troy University.”

Troy’s current cheer team was helping coach the younger generation. To them, the biggest reward is seeing the young athletes put the skills together.

“The most rewarding part is seeing them come to a clinic without really knowing that much and then we teach them,” said Emma Watkins, a senior nursing major from Milton, Florida. “We'll hit a scale, or they'll do something correct, and they realize that this is something they can actually do.”

Knowing the students they work with at the stunt clinics could be potential new teammates, the Trojans are also on the lookout for future teammates who can take advice and apply it.

“[We] make sure that you're able to talk for people, you look the part and a hard worker,” said Omarion Sneed, a junior elementary education major from Andalusia, Alabama. “We look for coachable athletes.”

The clinic is also a reminder for those who are not in cheer of all the sweat and effort these athletes put into their craft.

“We really put a lot of hard work and time into this, and it's not easy,” Sneed said. “I feel like some people think that it's cheerleading and that anybody can do it, but that's not the case. This is really a sport.”

While the point of these clinics is to learn new skills, the coaches and cheerleaders hope the high school athletes enjoy the experience.

“Best thing you can do is go out there and have fun,” Laracuente said.

The third and final cheer clinic of the fall semester will be on Oct. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Elm Street gym. For those interested in signing up or wanting to learn more about the stunt clinics, visit Troy Cheerleading's Instagram page @troycheer.