- Cheer coach Jenny Ghiglia leads a group at the Pierce College cheer leader tryouts held in the North Gym on Sunday Jan. 29, 2012. Photo: Jose Romero
The Pierce College’s first cheerleading competition team hosted tryouts Sunday evening in the North Gym.
The tryouts, which were overseen by cheer coach Jenny Ghiglia, counted the participation of nearly 30 people in various stages of cheer experience.
Ghiglia has tried to form a competition team previously, but the uncertainty of being in a community college has proved to be a hindrance.
“I get a lot of people who start with good intentions, but then life throws them things that force them to make choices,” said Ghiglia, who is in her 11th year as cheer coach. “This is a stepping stone for them.”
In addition to the assistance from Marwin Lopez, head coach of all-star competition squad CheerForce, Ghiglia credits personal growth as a reason for the success of the creation of the Pierce competition team.
“I feel like I’m ready to direct and deal with the different personalities that will be coming in through the competition team,” she said.
Because the team won’t be competing at the all-star level, it won’t cost the college any money to participate, according to Ghiglia. Members of the team, however, are required to pay out of pocket for their choreography and music fees.
In conjunction with the competition team tryouts were the tryouts for the existing Pierce cheer squad, the group that cheers for the school’s sports teams during games.
“It’s the same routine – same material,” said Ghiglia. “I just look at different things.”
No experience is necessary in order for participants to get into the cheer squad, according Ghiglia.
“I look at their personality and if they pick [the routines] up fast,” she said. “Their main purpose is to represent the school in spirit.”
For the competition team, on the other hand, “a different type of competitive attitude” is required.
Those who tried out had the option of taking part in the cheer squad, the competition team, or both.
Current members of the cheer squad are required to try out every year.
“It lets them know that they need to work for it,” said Ghiglia. “If they make the squad again, it means that they kept up their skills.”
Some of the participants came to the tryouts for the sole purpose of joining the new competition team.
“I love competing more [than just cheering] because everybody shows their best,” said 20-year-old Jenny Farmer, who has prior experience with the Pierce cheer squad.
Still, there are others who tried out for the fun of it.
“I’ve always wanted to try out, but tryouts always used to be held the same time as my classes,” said 22-year-old Registered Veterinary Technology major Parus Lackey. “I just like being on a team.”
Those who made it into either the cheer squad or the competition team were notified within 24 hours following the tryouts.
Links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pierce-College-Cheer/328036104118
