"Hard Work Pays Off"
It may sound cliche, but its so true.
Over the last few years, I have seen this play out in my life time and time again.
And this weekend, this phrase was proven true again.
Going into this years University of Wyoming cheer tryouts, I knew I was up for a challenge. Having helped with a few of our recruitment clinics, I knew the level of talent that was going to be at tryouts. I knew that I would be required to bring my best skills, and was aware that they may not be good enough. Our program was taking a drastic cut. Last year we had about 40 cheerleaders and 20 dancers. This year the program would only be allowed 28 cheerleaders, That's all.
The process began Saturday. After spending the morning getting ready, I registered as #9 out of 42, and we began the day. Throughout the day we worked on stunting, tumbling, and learning the cheer and dance. I've never been fast at picking up choreography, even when I was in dance. But for some strange and miraculous reason, I was able to learn the dance choreo super fast, and began adding performance factors. I was able to secure three solid stunts and work on my tumbling. For my running tumbling pass I had planned in doing a round off back hand spring tuck . This pass had never been consistent, with me mostly landing on my knees, and I hadn't worked on it since February. I threw my pass twice Saturday. Both times I landed my tuck, didn't touch down or reach for the ground.
Not only did Saturday consist of working on skills and preparing for Sunday, but half of our overall points for the weekend were to be earned on Saturday. With a decrease in size and limited spots available, character, appearance, and representation were a huge factor. Our interview consisted of multiple questions, ranging from basics, to in depth and thought provoking question. Questions like, "How many years have you been on the team" and "What is your GPA" were simple question. Questions like, "As a returner, where do you want to improve this year," "What should a UW spirit team member appearance be," and "Why should you be on this team" were more difficult to answer. I decided to speak from the heart, answer these questions with as much detail as I could, and to speak eloquently. I left my interview feeling confident in myself and I knowing I said everything
I wanted to. I was 100% happy with how my interview went.
Saturday night, I ate dinner and went to a teammates house to practice the dance with some of the other girls.
Sunday morning I woke up, ready to put my best foot forward. I had an amazing warm up and felt confident in my skills. When it came time for my group, #7,8, and 9, to tryout, I had positive nerves. First came the standing tumbling. Standing two back hand springs. Perfect. Next was running. I stood in the corner of the mat, announced my skill, and took a deep breath. I ran across the mat and executed my pass flawlessly. As I landed my tuck, I knew it had been the best that pass had ever been. My tuck had plenty of high. I landed my tuck, stayed in one spot, and stood up. The first thing I saw as I turned to face the judges, was my coach. I wish someone had taken a picture. The look on his face was priceless. It's hard to describe, but if I had to, I would say it was a mixture of "Wow! Ashley just threw that" and "I'm so proud of her hard work." I then saw my former teammate, an outgoing senior. The same look. I was so excited I had to fight back the tears. I had nailed my tumbling.
Next came the stunting section. For my group stunt, I did a full up, arabesque, full down. This is typically not a stunt I struggle with. However, I had some difficulty with my full up, fighting to keep it up on the second try. The rest of the stunt went smoothly. For my assisted stunt, I did a lib with a prone fall. Hit. Then came the Co-ed stunt. The one I was most worried about. It was a toss hands, press lib, back to hands, press cupie. High level of difficulty. This would count for mine and my partners, #8, stunt. The lib was a little shaky, but my partner saved the stunt, ending in a pretty solid cupie. My stunts were done.
Moving on to jumps. Right hurdler, double toe touch, back hand spring. Perfect. Next came the cheer. My motions were spot on. Stunt hit solid. Loud confident voice. Perfect. Finally the dance. If I do say so myself, I killed the dance. Didn't mess up once. Nailed the facials. Sold the dance. My tryout was done.
I had to fly in a three more group stunts, a ton of assisted libs, and two more co-ed stunts. Then the waiting began.
At 3:10pm we ran up the stairs of the gym to look at the list of numbers of everyone who had made the team. #2, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9... #9. That's me. I made it!!!! I couldn't believe it. Out of all the talent at tryouts, I had made it.
As I began to look around, I noticed many of the returners had checked the list to not find their number written down. Only 15 out of nearly 30 returners had made the cut. the majority of the team was rookies. I began to realize it would be an interesting year.
As we entered the gym for our first team meeting, I saw all my new teammates. I realized how much talent was on our team. How many amazing individuals we have, with fantastic personalities. The different skill set and passion each member brings. We went over information, got sized, received a team t-shirt, and took our first team photo.
After taking a couple days to reflect on the outcomes of this weekend, talking to my mom, and praying about it, I have been able to find peace.
I am extremely excited for the upcoming school year. I look forward to the growth of the program and my growth as an individual, both in my skills and as a person. I look forward to being a more prominent leader on this young team. I love every single one of my teammates and can't wait to get to know them more over the next year. I look froward to sharing our adventures with you.
Remember.
Hard Work Pays Off.
Until Next Time
Ashley
