There's a love-hate relationship when it comes to cheerleading.
Tracey Anthony started the Hernando Branch YMCA's program six years ago, and it was then she realized there will always be a reality check for those who want to breeze through cheerleading. Turns out, it requires athletes who love the sport but sometimes hate the physical work that comes with it.
"A lot of them come out and think it's all uniforms and pompoms and ribbons and that there's no real exercise to it," said Anthony, who is also the cheerleading coach at Central High.
"There is a lot of work. They have to be athletes. Sometimes, that's a shock to a lot of kids and that's how we weed out those who won't work. They'll just say, 'Oh, that isn't for me.' "
At the start of practice, there's lap running. It's about 15 to 20 minutes of cardio work, then there are jumps and tumbles and routine work, then it wraps up with even more muscle and endurance work.
There are no specifications or experience necessary to become a cheerleader. Right now, Anthony has girls ages 5 to 14. Boys are welcome too.
There are two divisions at the YMCA. Recreational squads coincide with football and basketball so they can cheer for those teams on the weekends. There's also a team that participates in competitions. The rec squads usually have 12 to 20 cheerleaders in a 12-week session, and the competitive squad has tryouts later this month.
"A goal of this program is that it's always been a springboard for them to get on their middle and high school squads," Anthony said. "Actually, most of the kids who have gone through this program have made those squads later on.
"Well, I implement a lot of what I do with the high schoolers in my program." she said. "That way they know what to expect and they can clean up their routine before tryouts."
Those, Anthony says, are the ones who tend to love cheerleading more than hate it.
"I like things to be structured, but so do most of them," Anthony said. "They like being part of a team and one that sets the groundwork for the next level. It's amazing how some pick it up quickly. Those are my repeats. Those are the ones who love it."
For information on cheerleading, call Anthony at (352) 688-9622.
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