We know Folsom High’s football team is at an all-time high, but when was the last time you asked about girls? They commit the same hours–even more than the boys–but they never seem to get the same attention as their male counterparts. The Folsom High School Cheerleaders are a phenomenal team who have shared their insight on this matter.
When it comes to cheerleading, there are two sides to the sport: fact and fiction. Many people associate cheerleading with being a stuck-up spirit squad, when that was never the case. All of the girls on the team are training for hours upon hours in the gym, trying to give their best performance.
While yes, they do partake in sideline cheer, that is just one aspect of their sport. The cheerleading team competes in two seasons: the fall season, when they are better known for their sideline cheer, and the spring season, when they compete against schools across California. They compete in areas such as stunt, sideline cheer, and tumbling. Contrary to popular belief, cheerleaders indeed do play their sport year-round. From sideline cheer in the fall to national competitions in spring, their team sure is busy.
One of the team captains comments on this by adding, “We work from 8 am to 8 pm and still have to get home to do homework.”And on top of all of this, they don’t just practice their routines created by both the captains and the coaches; they do outside conditioning to get proficient at their craft.
So, the cheerleaders work as hard–if not harder at times–than the football players. And at the end of the day, many of the cheerleaders stay doing the sport because of their connection to their team. Like any other sport, cheer is a team sport. All of the cheerleaders depend on one another to help perform and create a spectacular performance for their crowds. Many of the girls on the team have been with the same members since they entered the junior program. These girls are like family to one another. Coach Paige adds to this sentiment by stating, “We keep coming back for the love of the sport.”
Like any other sport, these amazing cheerleaders will have their next performance this Friday against Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHCP). So while we cheer on the boys during the start of their great season, let’s make sure to congratulate the girls too. Go Folsom Cheerleaders!
Yara Elkheir is an intern working with Folsom Times. She is a Folsom resident and a local student
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