GRANTS, N.M. — Grants High School cheer is back for another season stronger than ever.
The team debuted on the first day of school during an assembly that the entire student body attended. With three years of experience under her belt, Coach Anna Sanchez is leading the team for yet another year.
There are a total of 15 cheerleaders, and they have been training all summer.
Captain Chloe Marquez was asked about the upcoming season and she said, “I feel excited for this season especially as a captain, and I can't wait for all the upcoming games.
Marquez added, “I just want to cherish every moment since it’s my last year cheering with these girls and I adore the team very much. I know we’ll be a very good team this year.”
Marquez’s response reflects the sentiment of the season as well as the close bond between the team. Almost every day after school the GHS cheer team practices cheers, stunts and sidelines in order to prepare for the Friday night lights and the rest of the sports season.
The most dangerous aspect of cheerleading during football season is stunting. The work that goes into a stunt is meticulous. Coach Sanchez ensures that stunting is taken seriously.
There are four key positions in a stunt: the backspot is typically someone who’s tall and needs to have quick reflexes in order to transition from holding the flyer's waist to her ankles. The backspot ensures balance for the group. The most critical part of a stunt is a base. There are two bases in a stunt and the bases must be quick enough to catch the flyer's feet when she jumps into their arms.
Then, the bases must move perfectly in sync with one another matching each other's speed and strength in order to lift the flyer to the sky without causing her to lose her balance. The flyer must be light enough to lift but strong enough to stay tight. Flying is the most dangerous job in a stunt, as a fall could end the season for a flyer.
During the stunt it is crucial the flyer is able to keep her balance while the group lifts her. When asked about the experience of a flyer Caprice Gallegos said, “Flying is a great feeling,” she said. “I get to be connected with the bases and back spot and I get to see everyone in the stands. It's just a great feeling to be up there in the sky.”
Stay tuned for more from the GHS Cheerleading team.