Bowie HS cheer team brings energy to all games and school events
AUSTIN, Texas — “When I say Bowie, you say Bulldogs!” What does that phrase make you think of? A cheerleader with a megaphone, most likely. And while yes, cheerleaders are known for their ability to pump up the fans from the sidelines under the Friday night lights, the sport of cheer is so much more than just a sideline chant. Being a part of Bowie Cheer is a full-year (multi-year!) commitment to both school spirit and the sport of cheer itself. The members of the team also aspire to be positive leaders and representatives of both the school and of their larger community.
The Bowie Cheer program has a dual focus- to be the foundation for spirit at Bowie High School by carrying out traditions that build morale for school athletics and the entire campus, as well as continue the pursuit of excellence as a nationally competitive cheer squad.
Sideline cheer, on its own, takes practice and skill to be effective, but for the cheerleaders at Bowie, their training begins well before that and extends far beyond that. Tryouts are tough and begin in 8th grade for the JV team. And because a standing back handspring is required to make the cut (the requirement for Varsity is a standing backflip!), many of the candidates have spent time training in gymnastics, tumbling and/or dance with the goal of being a Varsity Cheerleader. Judges also look for proper jump technique, sharp and accurate motions, spirit and confidence, voice projection, and memorization of the dance and cheer. Additionally, applicants must be in good standing regarding grades, behavior, and attendance.
After tryout results are announced each March, the team begins prep for the next school year. This includes social activities, bonding, and learning school traditions, fight song, and cheers. They attend summer training camp. For a week each summer the cheer team also hosts a camp for aspiring cheerleaders in grades K-8. They spend the week teaching them cheers and dance, culminating in a performance for their families. The kids love getting to know the cheerleaders, giving the mascots a hug, and performing for their parents. Many of the girls on the current team participated in these summer camps when they were younger- something to keep in mind for next year if you have an aspiring cheerleader of your own! As the school year approaches, they prepare for games, pep rallies, spirit dress-up days, and Bowie’s annual community event, Bulldogs and Hotdogs, that supports many Bowie clubs, teams, and organizations. Bowie Cheer provides support and spirit for football, volleyball, and basketball; as well as encouraging school wide spirit.
The cheerleaders will continue to cheer for football playoffs and basketball during their own competition season which runs November through February. This certainly is a unique trait for cheer- supporting other teams as well as competing in their own sport. This year the team will have three different smaller teams competing with three separate routines. They compete using a combination of both “Gameday” routines which showcase the conventions of sideline cheer (think band dance, fight song, offense/defense cheers, signs, and megaphones) and “Traditional” routines which will include cheers and also choreographed fast-paced dance, and more difficult levels of stunting and tumbling. Bowie has qualified to compete at Nationals multiple times in the last few years, including a 7th place finish in 2017 with a small coed team. This year, Bowie Cheer’s competitive goals are to qualify for finals at the state level UIL competition for their Large Gameday Team; and qualify 2 smaller teams (one Gameday, one Traditional) for Nationals (at Disney World!).
On average these athletes are spending about 10-12 hours per week outside of school on games and practices. When competition season starts, they add on Saturday practices, bringing the total to about 15 additional hours a week. Many of them take additional tumbling and/or stunting classes on their own time to improve their skills. Team members are also required to volunteer 8 hours with various service projects each semester.
Fans of Texas high school football know that “The Friday Night Lights” magic happens when you combine the spirited cooperation of the football team, the band, the cheerleaders, drill team, mascots, and (of course) the fans. But as you can see, for the cheerleaders, behind the scenes, there is so much more magic- and athleticism- than what you see under only those Friday Night Lights.
“There is nothing better than giving an athlete a hug after they throw a tumbling skill they have been working on or watching the team’s face when they hit that pyramid they have been struggling with all week. These athletes work so hard to progress and excel in their skills for competition, but they also spend hours supporting all of the other groups on campus. Many people do not perceive cheer as ‘athletics’ and I love to fight for these students and make sure that they are recognized as the athletes they are.” -Alyssa Alex, Head Coach
“Cheer is a performance sport that also requires endurance, strength, and spirit.” – Emma K, Senior & Co-Captain
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