Cheerleaders were once simply expected to look perky, shake pom poms and cheer their teams on to victory. Those days are in the past. Where yesterday's cheerleaders might have done nothing more strenuous than flips, cartwheels or perhaps some simple stands, today's cheerleaders work out doing routines that require strength not just in character, but in body as well.
Mid-Prairie High School cheerleaders are no different when it comes to taking body conditioning just as seriously as their beefier football counterparts. In fact, it was not uncommon to see the cheerleading squad this summer working out in the weight room, developing those all important muscles they need to be able to hold teammates on their shoulders, catch a teammate flying through the air or even build elaborate pyramid like structures with their bodies during routines. Though rules in high school only allow cheerleaders to stand one high (on another teammates shoulders) in college the rules are different and it is not uncommon to see three cheerleaders standing tall one on top of another. Still, the conditioning is tough but the rewards are many.
Mother and daughter, coaches Julie and Jennifer Miller, work hard with their squad. In addition to being a coach, Jennifer also is a college cheerleader at William Penn. Though she is slight of form, she is in fact much stronger than her small build causes most to believe. Her years of dance training give her much to fall back on, aiding her in her balance and performance. Jennifer has in fact, found herself many times on the top of the three high pyramid looking down. Her experience and training aids Mid-Prairie cheerleaders to accomplish feats they never dreamed possible.
Mid-Prairie cheerleaders have been invited to attend Cheer and Dance nights at Oskaloosa High School on Oct. 31 and at Louisa Muscatine High School on Nov. 13. In addition, they are also preparing for State Cheer competition on Nov. 7 under the direction of Jennifer.
It should be noted that stamina, strength and flexibility are three key points in being a safe accomplished cheerleader, When performing a competitive routine, an enormous amount of energy will most certainly be used; but weeks before the first game and the crowd sees their work, cheerleaders will practice routines countless times.
A word not usually thought of in conjunction with cheerleader is "strength". But truth be known, strength is of the utmost importance in many ways in cheerleading, whether as a base, whose job is lifting other cheerleaders, as well as providing needed support with pyramids. Or a flyer, (the individual who climbs atop fellow cheerleaders creating impressive pyramids and such) cheerleaders must be strong, not just in the bodily strength needed to be able to lift others into the air (without the necessary strength, injuries and accidents can and do occur), but strong in confidence. But above all, a sense of trust must be present within the entire group in order to be safe and effective.
In addition to core strength needed, shoulder and leg strength are paramount, especially with those cheerleaders working at the bottom of the pyramid. Cheerleading coaches must (and at Mid-Prairie's do) work hard emphasizing training that aids the cheerleaders in increasing general shoulder and leg strength, flexibility and stability for jumps, tumbling and of course pyramid work.
The cheerleaders began practice on June 6 with practice every following Saturday. They also held a mini camp in June with practice every evening from 5 to 7:30 p.m., with additional Wednesday evening sessions in the weight room until the end of August.
They also participated in Kalona days where they won second place in the parade. They were ready to perform in Wellman's Fourth of July parade as well, but were rained out.
In August, the group attended UCA (Universal Cheerleading Association) in Ottumwa where they received an award for "Most Improved Squad". They also participated in a camp at Clear Creek/Amana.
It takes a great deal of time, effort, and lots of practice to acquire the challenging skills to be a cheerleader and Mid-Prairie's cheerleaders have two coaches who realize this in many ways. Five-year coaches Julie and Jennifer Miller take cheerleading very seriously; knowing that merely looking good is not enough. Strength, agility and safety are top on their list of "must haves."
Cheerleading is a sport and these young women are athletes. They practice, train, are scored and compete against other teams just like football, soccer, volleyball basketball, golf.
Seeing cheerleaders as just a bunch of girls "having fun at games" negates the accomplishments they have worked hard to accomplish in order to be recognized as the athletes they most certainly are.