Members of the Crescent City Jr./Sr. High School Cheerleading Team practice at the high school Thursday afternoon. The girls head tomorrow to Kissimmee for the 2011-12 FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championship, having earned a berth in Saturday's regional championship event.
It's not easy fielding a cheerleading team in rural Florida.
Unlike other counties with schools equipped with All-Star gyms and girls whose only sport is cheering, Crescent City Jr./Sr. High School Cheerleading Coach Emily Stroupe has to share her athletes with other sports.
"All-Stars is huge in a lot of places," Stroupe said as she prepared for a Saturday trip with her team to Kissimmee, where the girls will compete in the 2011-12 FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championship.
"It's not as big here -- Putnam being such a rural area, the athletic programs don't have a lot of money dedicated to cheering and we share our athletes with other sports."
Despite the challenges, Stroupe has the Raider Cheerleading Team heading to regionals in her first year coaching.
Stroupe said there is both good and bad in having multi-sport athletes on the team. Their time is divided; but strength essential to cheering is enhanced.
Raider cheerleader Mackeryl Mims, who runs track, agrees.
"It definitely helps with conditioning and stamina," Mims said of the benefit from track.
Mims' fellow cheerleaders Katarina Ireland and Kassandra Renwick said there are a few nerves going into Saturday's event, where the 16-girl team will compete in the Small, Non-Tumble division.
"There's always the thought 'What if you mess up'?" Ireland said. "But I think we are going to stay calm and focused."
CCJSHS Athletic Director Pat Lovell said she is proud of what the girls have accomplished in the gym and beyond.
"I'm very proud of these young ladies," Lovell said. "As a group, they've greatly improved, and they are very active in the community with volunteer work. They are a true example of what type of young ladies this country needs today."
Members of the Raider Cheerleading Team practice Thursday at the high school in front of their coach, CCJSHS Assistant Principal Emily Stroupe.
