By JEREMY MEYER Special to the Daily Press
Today marks the end of a long road for many cheerleading hopefuls, who will know tonight whether they have made the cut to officially cheer on the football team this season.
During the first two stages of tryouts, recruits heard Susan Corpus’ speech about the squad, what she expects from them and what the they can expect from the squad.
The process started slow with a minor difficulty level. The girls first had to learn a warm-up routine, which is produced by the United Cheerleading Association.
The second day of tryouts proved to a bit more challenging: The recruits were called out to perform stunting, going up in what they call a “half extension.” This stunt has two guys or girls lifting the flyer up to about his or her chest. The flyer then falls backwards into the arms of the spotter.
Corpus, jokingly noting that she only has $4 million in liability insurance, will not let any recruits go up in a stunt if they don’t feel 100 percent comfortable doing so. The cheerleading squad is not funded or supported by SMC, and therefore operates independently.
But Corpus tries to make sure that nothing happens to her squad and always takes part in the practices. She says she loves doing a toe-touch back toss, which entails going into the splits about 10 feet off the ground.
The girls and guys who are chosen for the squad will be performing at football, basketball, volleyball and water polo games, as well as other events in and around Santa Monica. But before they even get to look at the uniform, they are required to learn a few routines. Some are complex, involving several difficult moves.
“I would love to be part of the team because I remember how much fun it is to perform and get so close with the other teammates,” said cheerleading hopeful Yessenia Munoz.
The first test for the new recruits will be when they perform at the welcome ceremony for SMC’s new president, Dr. Chui L. Tsang, on March 7.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 6, 2006. Read the original PDF.