The Portland State cheer squad held tryouts a little over two weeks ago, attracting 46 people, almost twice as many as last year. Squad representatives said they owe a lot of their growth in popularity to the success of other Viking teams like basketball and football.
The Portland State cheer squad held tryouts a little over two weeks ago, attracting 46 people, almost twice as many as last year. Squad representatives said they owe a lot of their growth in popularity to the success of other Viking teams like basketball and football.
This year, the squad stayed together the whole year, with only one athlete not finishing the season. The squad was also able to perform at the state high school competition and put together a routine for halftime of the home basketball playoff game against Montana State.
“Having 46 people try out is really a testament to the success of our football program this past year and more visibility of our athletic teams,” head coach Kenny Dow said. “But also, as our team was able to go out and exhibition throughout the year actively and basically recruit high school seniors to come tryout for us. That was really helpful.”
Tryouts went a lot better this year for the squad. The team was able to attract more people, which meant a larger array of talent. The squad also has a strong contention of veteran cheerers returning in 2012–13.
The Portland State football program’s success on the field this year has given programs like the cheer squad more recognition. The squad hopes to get its name out there through more exhibitions and performances. But to succeed at its fullest, Viking sports have to be successful as well.
“Anytime our athletic teams are excelling and getting more media exposure, it just helps the whole university,” Dow said. “People see Portland State as a place they want to come to. They see the excitement growing as Portland State continues to grow and our athletic program continue to excel and win conference championships. It’ something people want to become a part of—the opportunity to cheer in front of a large number of fans is a big benefit at Portland State.”
Coming up this season, the cheer squad is looking to enlarge the program with more exhibitions and performances. They have a performance coming up at the Vikings’ football spring game on May 12 at Jesuit High School. Preparation for the spring game performance started April 25 and will continue a least twice a week. The spring game is itself preparation for an even bigger event in March of next year, the National Cheerleading Competition.
The cheer squad will be practicing for nationals all summer. Those practices will include conditioning and technique. Working on the routine the squad will perform at nationals won’t actually begin in October, in the middle of next year’s football season.
Throughout the year, the team will be trying to recruit as many high school seniors as they can to join the Portland State squad. Now, the recruitment process doesn’t happen in the traditional sense. Dow and the squad get their name out there through as many events as possible. The more young cheerers who hear the Portland State name, the more likely there will be higher numbers at tryouts.
“The talent level at tryouts this year was really high,” Dow said. “There were some people who made past squads who wouldn’t necessarily of made it this year if they were to try out. It helps us with our goal to compete on a national level.”
