In a league of their own

NMSU Cheer shines under national spotlight 

By: Anthony Esparza

Photo courtesy of: NMSU Cheer

In just four years, the New Mexico State cheer squad has become one of the top programs in the region.

NMSU took second place in the large coed division at the USA College National Championships in Anaheim, Calif. last month. More than 100 teams competed at the two-day event including Boise State, Hawaii and Weber State. 

“This is my fourth year coaching and every year we have made progress by leaps and bounds,” said NMSU Cheer coach Jessica Franklin. “This year really solidified the NMSU Cheer program as a collegiate team.”

Franklin, who was an Aggie cheerleader from 2000-2005, said the team did not start competing until she took over the program four years ago. Since then, the program has competed on a yearly basis in addition to its regular appearances at Aggie sporting events.

NMSU Cheer spends the summer learning chants and stunts that will be performed at Aggie games during sports seasons. The team then begins working on its competition routine in October.

The team practices three times a week in addition to cheering at football, volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball games. NMSU cheer also attends pep rallies and various university events throughout the year. 

Overall, the team makes over 90 appearances each year to go along with a full schedule of classes.

Similar to other college sports programs, success provides the cheer team with a distinct recruiting advantage.   

This advantage is especially important for NMSU, because New Mexico is one of 12 states in the country that recognizes cheerleading as a sport at the high school level.

“We have already begun working on tryouts and having clinics for our tryouts,” Franklin said. “We will be receiving more talent this year than we ever have from New Mexico, California, Colorado, Arizona and Texas.”

In addition to success and national exposure, competition provides NMSU Cheer with something they can call their own.

“What is different about cheerleading is that they have many jobs that they must attend to,” Franklin said. “Competition is the one thing that is just for them, and the one thing they don’t have to share with anyone else.”

It was a memorable season for NMSU Cheer. The team traveled to Las Vegas for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament and to Portland Ore. for the NCAA Tournament. The cheer squad also traveled to Albuquerque to perform before the awards ceremony at the State Cheerleading Competition.

However, the pinnacle of the season for NMSU Cheer was the two-and-a-half minutes the spotlight was on them at the USA College National Championships.

“There is no feeling like doing a two-and-a-half minute routine and walking off the floor with absolutely no regrets, and knowing that you just did the routine of your life,” Franklin said. “One full year of preparation for two-and-a-half minutes.”

Photo courtesy of: NMSU Cheer

Announcement

Tryouts for the NMSU Cheer team and Pistol Pete are on April 27 and 28 at the Pan American Center practice gym. There is a $35 tryout fee that is due the day of the event.

Students trying out for Pistol Pete must prepare a two-minute skit to music that reflects crowd involvement, personality and school spirit.

If you have any questions or would like more information contact Jessica Franklin at jessifra@nmsu.edu