MU Cheer Team to Compete on National Stage
The 2012-2013 cheerleading season is different from any other season they have had at the University for one main reason: MU Cheer will be competing in the UCA College Nationals on January 18-20, 2013, in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World Resorts. They will be competing against other Division I schools for the title of first place.
Courtney Ball, current coach of the cheer team, said, “Our girls work very hard to be enthusiastic and energetic during football and basketball season and competition is another avenue to demonstrate their dedication and skills. Collegiate teams from across the US come to compete at UCA Nationals because this is the most prestigious college cheerleading championship in the country.”
The top teams that ranked in the top ten last year at the UCA College N ationals i nclude: I ndiana University, University of Memphis, Morehead State University, San Diego State University, University of Minnesota, Florida State University, University of South Florida, Western Kentucky University, Rutgers University and Temple University.
“With so many exceptional athletes from the University,” Ball continued, “The cheerleaders have made it their mission to further advance our own team expectations.” L ast y ear, t he team placed first in their premier collegiate cheerleading competition at Rider University. The team created a goal to compete on a national level for the 2012- 2013 season in order to raise the University to a new standard of excellence in the competitive collegiate venue. “UCA Nationals will be on ESPN and I believe it will help to market Monmouth University as well as Monmouth Cheerleading,” said Ball. Ball has been the cheerleading coach at the University for the past four years. Prior to this, she coached the Hunterdon Central High School cheer team for a year. For college, Ball attended Monmouth and cheered all four years. Besides her coaching experience, Ball also is an instructor, choreographer, judge, and head instructor for cheer camps all over the country, primarily in the northeast. She has also been working for the Universal Cheerleader’s Association (UCA) for the past seven years.
One of the team’s captains, Johnna Malter, senior and psychology major, said, “I’m so proud of our team and how far we have come. The bond that we have formed as not only a team, but a family is the best thing I can ask for to finish off my last year as a cheerleader.”
Krysten Rosamilia, junior and accounting major, added, “I have been on the team for the past t hree y ears. T he b ond t hat the team has really helped me to continue to love the sport as I a lways h ave g rowing up.” R osamilia continues, “I am very excited to compete in January with my team and hopefully make history for MU Cheer.”
For anyone who is interested in trying out for the MU Cheer team, it is important to know that it is a big commitment. The season lasts from August-April, which leaves May-July for the team to train at home. Besides preparing for and cheering at football and basketball games, the team is heavily involved in community service that is integrated into the season as well as special events and promotions. The tryouts are usually the first weekend in May and lasts for two days.
During these tryouts, the potential cheerleaders are evaluated on gymnastics, stunting, dance, cheer, and overall spirit/ crowd appeal. On average, the team has about 24 girls, but the team has been co-ed in the past. Open tryouts are in September after the first football game for the few spots that are still left open. F or a ny a dditional i nformation, contact Courtney Ball at cball@monmouth.edu or visit the University’s website at gomuhawks. com.
PHOTO COURTESY of Deena Haluza
