By Tatum Outlaw
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Ashlyn East, varsity cheerleader and sophomore, has participated in both football and basketball cheerleading over the two years that she has attended this school.

“Both football and basketball cheer have their strong points but they’re definitely different,” East said. Besides the sports they cheer for, the main variation between fall and winter cheerleading is the fall squad competes while the winter squad does not, but athletes who participate in one are permitted to participate in the other.

However, according to Victoria Walsh, women’s basketball varsity cheer squad head coach, the switch between sports can be challenging. “A basketball game is played at a much faster pace than a football game,” she said. “In a football game, you might have a big play here and there with 30 to 45 seconds between each play. Possession during a basketball game is constantly changing. It requires different styles.”

East said, “It’s a lot different cheering a basketball game and a football game. They’re played at different places at different times and require us to learn two different types of cheering, but both are as exciting as the next.”

Even though the fall squad cheers at the Homecoming game, the winter squad cheers during many games when Dance Marathon fundraising is going on. This year, Dance Marathon is scheduled for Feb. 21 with fundraising leading up to that date. This way, both squads have their big events for the season, and both have the chance to become just as spirited.

Even though coaches have expectations for their athletes, cheerleading is no different for Walsh.

Walsh said, “My expectations are the same from year to year—to have fun and support the basketball team. Last year was a wonderful experience. It’s a treat to cheer for a team and go with them as they achieve the ultimate goal—the State championship.”