The pompoms are back in action for this basketball season, but not as regularly as a typical year would allow. The limited games for the basketball teams means the same for the cheerleaders.
“It is more difficult to stay motivated during the season because we don’t have a lot to look forward to this fall,” said junior Jessie Holzer. “Instead of games every week, we have three games in total this fall. We aren’t a competitive team, so nothing really changes with that, but we just have to remain positive to help cheer on the players.”
That is exactly what this team loves to do: encourage and cheer on the Eagles.
“My favorite part of being a college athlete has been cheering on our basketball teams and competing within our own team to be the best we can be on each and every routine and cheer,” said senior Sydney May. “When the Luce gets rocking because our team is playing well and our cheer team is leading, that roar is electrifying.”
Asbury University has released spectator guidelines for all athletic events, so the stands may not be as full this semester. There are also a variety of team protocols.
“Since [the start of the pandemic] we have been taking every precaution we can as a team to ensure that we are safe and no one on the team gets [coronavirus],” said Holzer. “We wear masks into the Luce. We try to keep our distance when we can, but with cheer being such a close contact sport, it is hard to remain 6 feet away. We all make sure to wash our hands after practice and to keep masks on when we’re off the mats.”
Although these guidelines can be difficult to observe with such a close-contact sport, the team is excited to be given the opportunity to cheer.
“We strive to get a little better each day and to continue to work hard both in practice and outside of practice as well, no matter the situation,” said May. “We’re honestly just so happy to be able to be together again doing what we love.”
The Asbury Eagles cheerleaders will be in action on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. for the women’s basketball game at the Luce Center.
