The 2023-2024 AUM cheerleading team is shown together outside of Goodwyn Hall. Photo courtesy of Frank Williams.
By: Kniya Potts
The AUM cheerleading team is making history preparing to attend the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida in April. This will be the first time AUM cheerleading will travel to compete for a national title.
I have been a member of the AUM cheerleading team since freshman year, and I am ecstatic to be a part of this experience. Coach Samantha Rose is determined to ensure that we have a successful outcome. Without her continuously pushing us to be the best we can be, we wouldn’t be the team we are today. “The 12 student-athletes dedicate their time to enhance and develop their skillset to be competitive with other schools in our division,” Rose said.
Coach Rose also added that the AUM cheerleading program has significantly improved both skill and talent-wise over the years. Rose added, “The cheerleading team has developed over the years to have the strength, ability, and talent to have a competitive edge needed for this level of competition.” AUM Cheerleading will be competing against other colleges, including those in the Gulf State Conference (GSC).
When going into such a nerve-wracking experience, it is crucial to maintain a positive attitude. It is vital, especially during this time of year. It is a must that we stick together and be there for one another. I see my team more than I see my family. We are always together. We also emphasize that we need to trust ourselves and each other. We must ensure trust with the amount of dangerous and difficult skills incorporated into the routine. If not, someone will get hurt.
We are practicing every week leading up to the event, practicing around seven hours weekly for a two-minute and thirty-second routine. Our coach has gone the extra mile to build a team of determined individuals. We want to bring home a trophy and make school history. Coach Rose added, “Every week, the team will focus on skill training and routine development to perform the best routine at the highest level.”
We implement specific strategies to ensure peak performance at nationals. AUM cheerleading co-captain, junior Madalyn Barfield said, “Our strategy is preparing early. We have already started putting the routine together and we’ve been working on the skills in the routines over the past month.” I agree with her because the earlier we can improve our skills and technique, the better. Senior cheerleading captain Duntrey Heflin expresses how much leading the team to nationals means to him personally. “As a captain, leading the team to nationals means everything to me and so much more. This is the first time in AUM cheer history to attend NCA nationals,” says Heflin. Heflin adds, “Getting the privilege to say I was and am the captain of that team warms my heart with so much joy and pride no matter the outcome.”
Coach Rose believes that we will do our best and bring home hardware. “AUM is one of the three universities in the Gulf State Conference competing at Nationals. The team’s goal is to perform the best routine with minimal errors and represent the university to the best of our ability,” said Coach Rose. The amount of blood, sweat, tears and long practices will be worth it. We have a team of determined individuals with the same goal. The competition will be held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida April 11-14. Go Warhawks!