Showing team spirit - Kirkwood Student Media

March 03, 2019 at 01:11AM

Google's definition of a sport is "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment." Cheerleading fits these exact requirements despite the stereotype of cheerleading not being a sport.

Kirkwood Community College's Cheer Squad training schedule consists of Monday and Wednesday nights and Friday mornings. 

According to Cheerleading Coach Sarah Trinkle, "Every practice we will warm up with running, stretching, tumbling and then we will usually do some stunts." She also added that they get up at 6:15 a.m. on Friday mornings.

Cheerleaders perform during halftime of basketball games and also participate in competitions. 

"We've gone to competitions down at Iowa," Trinkle said. 

She added, "We've put together a full two and two-and-a-half-minute competition style routine and then there's also some halftime performances." 

The Kirkwood Cheer Squad includes both male and female members. Trinkle said, "I think that once you get a few guys on the team that more guys are willing to be like, 'okay they can do it so I can do it.'" 

As of this past October the Kirkwood Cheer Squad has added two males to the team. "It's typically easier for guys to make the team than it is for girls. Typically for college, a lot of male cheerleaders have never cheered before going to college," according to Trinkle. 

Just like in other sports such as baseball, softball, golf or basketball, scholarships are awarded for cheerleaders. "There's a $500 scholarship and this past year we split it up and gave it to two cheerleaders. Two sophomores who have shown dedication and have represented Kirkwood in a positive light." 

Cheerleaders perform during half time at Men's Kirkwood Basketball vs. Northern Iowa Area Community College on Jan 19.
PHOTO BY JESSICA EARLE.

 

Google's definition of a sport is "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment." Cheerleading fits these exact requirements despite the stereotype of cheerleading not being a sport.

Kirkwood Community College's Cheer Squad training schedule consists of Monday and Wednesday nights and Friday mornings. 

According to Cheerleading Coach Sarah Trinkle, "Every practice we will warm up with running, stretching, tumbling and then we will usually do some stunts." She also added that they get up at 6:15 a.m. on Friday mornings.

Cheerleaders perform during halftime of basketball games and also participate in competitions. 

"We've gone to competitions down at Iowa," Trinkle said. 

She added, "We've put together a full two and two-and-a-half-minute competition style routine and then there's also some halftime performances." 

The Kirkwood Cheer Squad includes both male and female members. Trinkle said, "I think that once you get a few guys on the team that more guys are willing to be like, 'okay they can do it so I can do it.'" 

As of this past October the Kirkwood Cheer Squad has added two males to the team. "It's typically easier for guys to make the team than it is for girls. Typically for college, a lot of male cheerleaders have never cheered before going to college," according to Trinkle. 

Just like in other sports such as baseball, softball, golf or basketball, scholarships are awarded for cheerleaders. "There's a $500 scholarship and this past year we split it up and gave it to two cheerleaders. Two sophomores who have shown dedication and have represented Kirkwood in a positive light." 

Cheerleaders perform during half time at Men's Kirkwood Basketball vs. Northern Iowa Area Community College on Jan 19.
PHOTO BY JESSICA EARLE.

 

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