Can you picture being a freshman in a classroom full of seniors and having to compete against them to be the best in that class?
The first-year, all-girl cheerleading squad at The University of Memphis had a similar task at hand this season, yet finished second at the national competition last week.
The 20-girl squad, made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores, competed against established programs in the Universal Cheerleaders Association National College Cheerleading Championship Jan. 11. at MGM Studios in Orlando, Fla.
After sending in a skills tape in November to qualify for the competition, the squad finished third behind successful programs Morehead State University and Penn State.
The third-place finish earned the team a spot in the national competition last week.
The squad, coached by Brad Robinson and Chris Crabtree, performed Friday morning in the semifinals, finishing second behind Southwest Texas University.
Later that evening, the girls competed in the finals, finishing behind only Morehead State.
According to Robinson, the squad’s second-place finish was a close call.
“We only lost by two points on each judge’s card,” Robinson said. “We gave the first-place team a scare.”
Robinson said he was proud of the team and its achievements, but apparently only first place will do for him next year.
“It was incredible what we accomplished, but finishing second meant you were the first loser,” Robinson said. “Next year we want first.”
Squad member Brooke Cooper said she knows what it will take to finish first next season.
“To finish first, it takes endurance and you have to be willing to work,” she said.
Finishing first is not the only goal for the squad next year.
There are plans for recruiting across the country, gaining recognition on campus and getting cheerleading recognized as a true sport.
Squad member Julie Burcham said people should start acknowledging cheerleading as a sport because it’s tough.
“Cheerleading is physically demanding, just like any other sport,” Burcham said. “You have to put in a lot of work.”
