As the 2024-2025 sports season has come to an end, our girls cheer team is starting up tryouts again. The cheerleaders go out to football games and basketball games, yet they are continuously practicing. These past two years, incoming freshmen have been able to try out for the team and they have shown out. 

There are many ways to prepare for tryouts, working out, stretching, practicing routines, ¨ Everyone prepares differently. Some will sign up to take tumbling classes at a nearby cheerleading gym, some will practice motions and stretching at home and others come together to prepare as a group¨ Cheyenne Hanshaw said. This is about Hanshaw’s 3rd year coaching. 

Last season, there were 11 cheerleaders on the team, ¨ I never have a set number because you never know what each years’ tryouts will bring. Some years we could have over 20 cheerleaders and some years we could have 15 cheerleaders that make the team.¨ Hanshaw said. 

There are a variety of reasons why the cheer team would be fun to join. The positive attitudes, the fun of football games and basketball games, the excitement of making it to nationals, ¨.I wanted to join the cheer team because I absolutely love to dance and perform.¨ Bailey Hitzel said. Next cheer season will be Hitzels 3rd season with Arlington High School. 

Cheer is a very important sport for Arlington High School, for fall sports and winter sports, the excitement of the cheers at the bottom of the student section bring more joy and fun to the games. Everyone in the student sections learns the cheers to be a part of the loud crowd. 

¨The most important thing I focus on is jumps, specifically toe touches. Tryouts are a week-long process and we are taught a variety of cheers and dances to practice throughout the week.¨ Hitzel said. 

Cheerleading tryouts are super exciting, yet they can be a little nerve wracking. With the proper training and prior experience, tryouts may be able to go a little smoother. It is important to come to tryouts with a positive attitude and mindset, well-practiced routines and definitely the ability to work well with your teammates. 

¨My biggest goal is to continue to hold high attainable standards to these athletes, to continue on the path we started last season by competing with other high school cheer teams across Washington State, and to maintain the kindness and joy felt when being a part of this team.¨ Hanshaw said.