Coach Ashley Edwards said the talent level exhibited
at the All-Girls tryout was amazing. “Each year it has
gotten better and better,” said Edwards. “The talent
level of those trying out this year really blew me away.”
The live tryouts lasted for three days and even the experienced
team members, who also had to audition, were a little nervous.
“
You’re always nervous about a tryout, but there’s
a lot of support here. Everyone cheers each other on,” said
freshman Brittney Segars, who tried out while she was in high
school and made the 2003-2004 team.
2003-2004 cheerleader, Lauren Muckleroy said the tryouts
were intense, but not nerve wracking. “Tryouts were pretty laid
back. You bring what you have to the table, and you either have
it or you don’t.”
Both Segars and Muckleroy said that a lot of good talent
showed up this year. These veteran observations were good
news for
Pearl City High School senior Sheena Mendoza, who had never
tried out
for a collegiate-level cheer team.
“
It was a little intimidating, but I knew a lot of people from
the All-Star Squad and the Hawai‘i Cheer Company,” said
Mendoza.
Tryouts are required annually for new and existing team
members. This ensures that the necessary skill level is
maintained,
said Muckleroy.
“
This is only our second year with our All-Girl Team and already
they are having a huge impact on college cheerleading,” said
Edwards.
Co-Ed Cheerleading Team
Trying out for a national champion cheerleading team
means meeting championship expectations. Trying to select
the
right members – the
33 members who will make up a national champion cheerleading
team – in a group of 200 hopefuls is probably harder.
Approximately 30 male and female students participated
in the live tryouts for the Co-Ed Cheerleading Team.
The Student
Life
Office received an additional 170 video tryouts from
students all over the United States.
“
The 2004-2005 team, quite honestly, will be one of the most talented
cheer teams ever assembled...by anyone...anywhere! We truly have
the very best cheerleaders in the country on this team,” said
Edwards.
Hard to imagine a more talented team than this year's
team that just won first place at the 2004 Chik-fil-A
National
Championships or the 2002-2003 team that also took
first place at nationals.
Edwards has a lot to be proud of and look forward to. “Back-to-back
national champions in 2003 and 2004 ... 2005, I predict will
be no different. This program has arrived and is recognized
as a national powerhouse.”
The tryout results for the All-Girl and Co-Ed Cheer
Teams will be announced on Apr. 16.
Dance Team The Dance Team’s live tryouts showcased the talent of
approximately 20 girls who could perform dance techniques from
hip-hop to jazz.
Approximately 20 video tryouts have been submitted with more
anticipated.
The tryouts were a four-part process that included
learning and performing jazz, hip-hop, and pom combos,
and participating
in
a personal interview.
Head coach of the dance team, Adrienne Lampitelli said, “The
level of talent we see gets better and more competitive every
year. Word spreads that we have an incredible team and program,
and dancers from around the country and world want to be a
part of it.”
High school senior Cara Maldonado flew from Washington
to participate in the tryouts. “Coming to the live tryouts and actually
seeing the people and dancing technique is a good thing. They
are good role models for me.”
While HPU junior Ashley Robinson said that the “new girls are pretty good
and well-skilled,” Maryknoll High School senior, Jennifer Kotake, said “tryouts
have been stressful.”
Members of last year’s team seemed relaxed and confident during the tryouts.
Junior Stephanie Guinan said that she’s trying not to stress out too
much about the tryouts.
Freshman Kristen Jansen said, “Tryouts are going well. I’m trying
to keep it smooth sailing.”
The members of the 2004-2005 will be announced on Apr.16. |
