5 Must Knows of McMahon Cheer

Claire Ripperger
​PrideTime Sports Editor

1. The Business Behind the Bows:
​You’ll never catch a cheerleader without a colorful or sparkly bow. Whether it’s on their backpack or in their hair, these are the ultimate Cheer accessory. Typically, our cheerleaders sport a “D.W.” bow, in memory of Coach Kelsey’s father who passed away this year.

2. It’s more than flips and sparkles:
Cheerleaders spend the summer in the weight room building up their strength for the football season. You may catch them in the mini gym on the mats after school hours, but they can also be spotted at a private gym practicing tumbling.

3. Different Roles:
The Flyer- Usually the lightest person, who gets held up by others.
The Base- Seen underneath the flyers, supporting them and holding them up.
The backspot- Just as important as the bases, backspots stand behind and grab the ankles of the flyers to pull them up.

4. Looking Good while Doing Good:
​In addition to coordinated outfits and hair, there are many strict rules when it comes to competitions. No long nails, nail polish, or fake nails. In fact, their nails cannot go past their fingertips. Points can be deducted if a bellybutton shows, and of course, cursing on the mat is a big no-no

5. Practices are just as important as serious as games:
With coordinated outfits and themes, the cheer team spends a lot of time team bonding while improving their stunts and routines. Practice can go for as long as 4 hours with tumbling. Expected to be just as loud in practice as they are in games, cheerleaders put their all into everything.