Alumni Feature – 'Leaders at the Next Level

Take a glimpse into these four alums' experiences and triumphs as they reflect on their transition from high school cheerleading to the electrifying world of college spirit!

Reprinted from EC Magazine, Summer 2024 (unabridged version)

Caroline McCall ‘20

Colorado University

When I cheered at EC, we were very successful throughout our competition season, which helped prepare me to commit myself to the sport in college. Courtney (the cheer coach when I was at EC) taught me how to be strong and sharp in my motions and proper stunting technique. The stunting techniques I learned at EC also helped me to quickly learn college-level stunts. EC cheer also was a pretty big time commitment, so I learned a lot of time management and organization skills there as well. 

How is cheering at the college level different or like your high school cheer experience?
At the collegiate level, we are allowed to do harder skills than at the high school level. We build pyramids 2.5 people high, non-braced flipping or inverted stunts and flipping baskets. I would say that this is the biggest difference as well as the time commitment. At CU, we are expected to cheer every home football game (as well as some away), every home volleyball game, every home soccer game, as well as both men's and women's basketball games. We also practice for nationals throughout the year. Because we compete at UCA nationals in January, we stay in Colorado over winter break and have two-a-day practices leading up to nationals. Because of this, we only have around four days over Christmas time to see family and travel. Gamedays for all sports are also very different than in high school because there are a lot of pre-game events and tailgates to attend. At CU, because of Coach Prime, last season, we attended a variety of TV appearances before the games including Big Noon Kick-Off and College Gameday. 

What do you enjoy most about cheering in college?
One of my favorite aspects of being on a collegiate cheer team is the people. All of my roommates are on the cheer team with me. Living with my teammates and experiencing all parts of life together is very different from high school.

At CU, we also have many benefits from the University, including access to mental health support, access to the athlete dining hall, a strength and conditioning coach, and the use of one of the athletic facility weight rooms. We also have an athletic trainer who helps with injury prevention and recovery. CU is also the only D1 college that offers an Alston Scholarship to its spirit program.  

How do you balance academics, cheerleading and personal time?
Our practices are usually three times a week for 2.5 hours each time. We also have two mandatory workouts each week with our strength coach. In the fall, with football games and added appearances, we average around 30 hours per week (during home game weeks). In the winter, we practice around 4-6 hours a day as we are leading up to the national competition. In the spring, we travel with the basketball teams for tournaments (Pac12 and March Madness), so our time commitment tends to vary depending on how they do. In the spring we only practice twice a week. Over the summer, we are expected to complete assigned workouts, tumbling and material review each week. 

Continue to lean on and learn from your coaches and your teammates and be okay with and learn from making mistakes.

I was very busy in high school, and I learned time management skills; however, I had to adapt these skills to college life. I no longer have my parents at home who would help with grocery shopping, meal planning, laundry, organizing events, driving to practices, etc. I had to learn how to meal prep, so I had enough food during the day at classes and before/after practices. I ended up utilizing my calendar to help organize when I would study, when I had cheer, when I had class and when I would hang out with my friends. Being able to balance school, cheer, work and social experiences is super important to be able to do well and to enjoy the four years I have here. 

What advice would you give to current and aspiring college-bound cheerleaders?
One big piece of advice I would give is to enjoy each moment you are in and continue to work hard. As I am reaching my senior year at CU and nearing the end of my cheerleading career, I am realizing how much I am going to miss the sport and the hard work I get to put in. Cheer is such a physical and mental sport, which makes practices hard to go to, but enjoy the hard practices, the sweat, the grit and the fun you have. Continue to lean on and learn from your coaches and your teammates and be okay with and learn from making mistakes.

Claire Ooton ‘20

The Ohio State University

I really enjoy challenging myself and cheer has given me an amazing outlet for that. I get a thrill out of learning new, difficult skills and completing them in front of a crowd. Holding a leadership role on my team for the past two years as a captain has been incredible. One specific thing I’ve learned is being able to adapt my coaching style around what my teammates need at that time. It has been such a rewarding experience and is something that I will miss about cheering in college. 

How did cheering at EC prepare you for your college experience? 
I learned most of my foundational cheerleading skills at EC, which definitely helped me prepare for college cheerleading. When I tried out for the EC cheerleading team as a freshman, I had just quit gymnastics, which I had done for ten years. Gymnastics was all I knew, so changing to a new sport was really daunting. EC had a great program and even better coaches who helped me make the transition from gymnastics to cheerleading an effortless process.

Any memorable competitions in college?  
Yes! By far, the most memorable competition I have participated in was the 2024 NCA College Nationals. My team placed first in the All-Girl D1A Intermediate Division, which is one of the biggest and most competitive divisions for college cheerleading. It was an amazing way to end my senior year and cheerleading career.
 
How did cheering at EC prepare you for your college experience?
I learned most of my foundational cheerleading skills at EC, which definitely helped me prepare for college cheerleading. When I tried out for the EC cheerleading team as a freshman, I had just quit gymnastics, which I had done for ten years. Gymnastics was all I knew, so changing to a new sport was really daunting. EC had a great program and even better coaches who helped me make the transition from gymnastics to cheerleading effortless.
 
What advice would you give to current and aspiring college-bound cheerleaders?
I would say to have confidence in yourself and to be coachable. When I was trying out for collegiate cheerleading teams, I was super nervous and basically counted myself out, thinking there was no way a college team would accept someone who was relatively new to the sport. Without my mom and my high school cheerleading coach, Courtney Diaz, I would have never even tried. Thankfully I did, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Also, being coachable is a key trait that many college cheerleading teams specifically look for. If you are willing to try new skills and alter your technique a little bit, that is highly valuable. 

Emily Roduin ‘20

Montana State University

Cheering at the collegiate level is a more engaging experience. A typical week includes lift practice at 6 a.m. twice a week, three practices from 6-9 p.m. each week, appearances and games—we cheer for football, volleyball and basketball.

What’s the biggest difference between high school and college cheer?
I think the most significant difference is the number of fans who come to the games, especially football. I was able to cheer at the Football National Championship game and when Clleg Gameday came to Bozeman. Montana State has a great fan base for all its sports, and even when I am walking around town, I am recognized as a cheerleader and a representative of the school. People often call out, “Go, Cats!”

Any advice for aspiring college-bound cheerleaders?
Just try out! I think the biggest concern people have is missing out on different school activities or not being able to handle cheer and school, but, at least at MSU, we have so much support as student-athletes that it helps us excel in athletics and in the classroom. 

Being a cheerleader at EC gave me the background I needed to commit myself to the sport and the family the sport creates. At EC, we practiced in the summer, almost every day throughout the entire school year, and for all the same sporting events I do now. To be on a state champion team required dedication to the sport and my teammates. With cheering in college, it is the same commitment, still being a student-athlete and still dedicating myself to the sport. 

The best advice I have for someone aspiring to cheer in college is to just try out. The biggest concern people have is missing out on different school activities or not being able to handle cheer and school, but at least at MSU, we have so much support as student-athletes that helps us excel in athletics and in the classroom. 

Cheering in college is an experience I would never change for the world. As a senior, I reflect back on my time as a cheerleader and the family that it has created for me. The time I spent with this team is something I’ll never regret.

Rielly Springer ‘22

University of Southern California

Cheering at Eastside Catholic gave me the skills and experience to pick things up quickly in college and the confidence to perform in front of any crowd and in any situation. It also taught me how to use signs properly, which is really useful in college. 

Have you cheered at any memorable competitions? 
I was fortunate to cheer for our women’s basketball team this year during their NCAA tournament run. The first two games were at our home court, and the energy from the sold-out crowds was amazing. Then, the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight in Portland were incredible experiences with all the different teams and fans, plus the media coverage. I’ll never forget the excitement and intensity of those four games from our courtside position. 

Any advice for aspiring college-bound cheerleaders?
When I was in high school, I never thought I’d go on to cheer in college. So, my advice is don’t be reluctant to take a chance and try out. Have confidence in your skills, as well as your competition and sideline experience, and always smile and yell loudly. 

How did cheering at EC prepare you for your college experience?
Cheering at Eastside Catholic gave me the skills and experience to pick things up quickly in college and the confidence to perform in front of any crowd and in any situation. It also taught me how to use signs properly, which is actually really useful in college. 

What’s the thing you most enjoy about cheering at your college?
Aside from the amazing friendships I’ve made, I really enjoy all of the opportunities beyond cheering at sporting events, such as brand sponsorships, community appearances and campus-wide events. It’s also fun meeting all of the celebrities and professional athletes who come to our games.

How is cheering at the college level different or similar to your high school cheer experience?
Obviously, everything at the college level is bigger – bigger stadiums and arenas, bigger crowds, bigger bands, etc. Another thing that’s bigger is football game days, which are all-day events. We start game days with practice, and then after getting ready with full make-up and hair, we have alumni appearances and three rallies as we march across campus. Next are pre-game, halftime, and post-game performances, along with cheering at the game. And finally, we march back across campus with an additional rally if we win the game. Another difference from high school is that everything is paid for by the university, including uniforms, shoes, workout gear, travel and lodging. 

How much time do you practice and compete? How do you balance academics, cheerleading and personal time?
USC Spirit doesn’t currently compete, which I like because we only need to practice two to three times a week. Although we are expected to condition on non-practice days. However, to avoid conflicts with everyone’s class schedules, our practices start at 6 a.m. I’m not really a morning person, so that was a big adjustment! Fortunately, the entire team is only required to participate in home and select away football games and big events. The rest of our commitments just require a portion of the team, which allows us some flexibility in balancing cheer with our academics and personal time. 

Caiden Bertch ‘20

University of Michigan

Cheering in college is similar to cheering in high school because we get to be on the sidelines for football and basketball games, but the games are way bigger, and the atmosphere is way more exciting. 

How often do you practice? 
I practice 10 hours a week on top of three hours of team lift. I have to be mindful of my time and focus on doing schoolwork whenever I’m able to so I can have free time on weekends and in the evenings to rest or hang out with my friends and girlfriend. 

What do you love most about cheering in college?
I most enjoy being able to cheer in the Big House, the largest stadium in terms of capacity in North America. Nothing comes close to the adrenaline rush I get when running out of the tunnel before games in a stadium with over 107,000 people screaming. 

Any advice for aspiring college-bound cheerleaders?
Never give up, no matter how difficult balancing everything in your life is. The stress is only temporary, and the amazing memories you make from cheering in college will be what sticks with you more than anything else. 

Have you cheered at any memorable competitions?
The most memorable game I’ve cheered at was the game against Ohio State last November. The energy from the crowd was incredible and storming the field after the game was so much fun. Competing at Nationals in Daytona Beach this April and last April was also an incredible experience because I was able to bring the competitive aspect of high school and all-star cheer to what I do in college. 

How did cheering at EC prepare you for your college experience?
Cheering at EC helped me balance sports, academics, and personal time and prepared me to cheer at football and basketball games. 

Any advice for aspiring college-bound cheerleaders?
Some advice I would give current and aspiring college-bound cheerleaders is to never give up, no matter how difficult balancing everything in your life is. The stress is only temporary, and the amazing memories you make from cheering in college will be what sticks with you more than anything else.