Written by Hannah Robison
The Harding University cheerleading tryouts were held April 8 and 9. Out of 22 women who competed for team membership, eight women have been selected for the 2011-2012 Bison squad.
The women who made the squad include: Aislyn Wilson, Nikka Kellam, Hailey Nowakowski, Tessa Brown, Karli Blickenstaff, Erica Dobnikar, and incoming freshmen Kayla Gibson and Chelsea Reid.
In order to be eligible for the tryouts, the women had to attend a clinic the previous Friday night. The clinic was given by the 2010-2011 captain, Alyssa Dugan. Dugan taught the requirements necessary for the tryouts. These included a cheer and sideline chant, jumps, a pom routine, tumbling skills and an individual interview.
For incoming freshmen unable to attend the tryout, a video option was also available. The video had reflect the requirements of the actual tryout in order to highlight the individual’s abilities.
Incoming freshmen are an energizing asset to the squad, and due to several high school conflicts, the number of girls trying out was lower than in previous years, according to cheerleading coach Kellee Blickenstaff.
With the amount of schedule conflicts, Blickenstaff plans to host another tryout during Summer Experience to bring more freshmen to the squad.
The university squad is a longstanding tradition at Harding. The team usually consists of 10 to 16 women who cheer during the Bison football and basketball seasons. Scholarships are available for 13 of the team members. The women must maintain a 2.0 grade point average, as well as a full course load. The team attends all Bison football games and cheers for the men and women’s home basketball games, and all of the expenses are covered.
Blickenstaff has coached the Bison cheerleaders since 1998. She has a passion for the sport and for Harding University. She cheered for her husband, who played Harding football during their college days, and her father also worked closely with the team.
“Every year it’s truly a blessing to get to meet and know the girls on a personal level,” Blickenstaff said.
Blickenstaff’s goals as a coach are not only to present the women as spirited cheerleaders, but also to have them “present Christ-like lives and shine.”
“They take pride in it and work really hard,” Blickenstaff said.
Blickenstaff said her proudest moment of the cheerleading tryouts occurred during the interview portion. A number of the girls talked of the squad’s getting involved with service projects and the student body. Her squad members are also involved in social clubs, campus organizations, overseas programs and their various studies. Blickenstaff’s goal is to give the women an opportunity to excel in the sport and be an active part of Harding.
