Get up and CHEER
Photos by LOREN BENOIT/Press North Idaho College cheerleaders lift Dakota Keyworth in the air Thursday evening at cheer camp. During the last three days, kids learned basic motions, jumps, dance and stunting and will perform at halftime of today’s NIC men’s basketball game.
Brooke Hell, 7, learns cheer moves from NIC cheerleader Cassidy Holmes Thursday evening at cheer camp. The kids will perform at halftime at the men's basketball game on Saturday. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Natalie Stroud practices her tuck jump during cheer camp Thursday evening at North Idaho College.
North Idaho College cheerleader Chloe Aragon demonstrates how to stand clean Thursday evening at cheer camp. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — Little aspiring cheerleaders cartwheeled and tumbled with excited anticipation Thursday night before their cheerleading camp even began.
With colorful ribbons in their ponytails and some in sparkly sportswear, 50 girls ages 2 through 9 looked up to — literally and figuratively — North Idaho College cheerleaders as the elder athletes taught their younger counterparts how to move like the pros.
“This is how we stretch like a cheerleader — we point our toes,” Cassidy Holmes said as she rounded up the group and started the warm-up session. “I want to see pointy feet everywhere!”
The NIC cheerleaders hosted the three-day cheer camp to teach the younger girls a special routine that they’ll perform during halftime of the NIC men’s basketball game this evening. The game begins at 4 p.m. in Christianson Gymnasium.
Former NIC cheerleader Nicki Osborne of Coeur d’Alene watched from the sidelines as her 5-year-old, Hallie, concentrated on learning the drill. She said her daughter really enjoyed the cheer camp that was held last year.
“She just wanted to try it out so she came in the summer and she loves it. She was in the Rathdrum parade,” Osborne said.
She said introducing the little ones to the sport helps to develop their interest as they learn the techniques and understand the moves.
“They’re here to have fun,” she said. “And it’s so cute and fun to watch them perform.”
“I think that it’s good,” Hallie said when she stepped away from practice for a moment. “I like doing cartwheels the best.”
NIC Cheer head coach Cassie Motley said her athletes would be teaching the younger ones motions, jumps, dance and stunting as they prepare for their performance.
“We’re ‘cheer-leaders,’ so we want to be positive role models and influence in the community,” Motley said. “We want to get them excited about being athletic, healthy and having fun and be positive role models to keep kids busy with stuff that’s positive for them.”
The cheer camp also provides other lessons for the girls.
“We’ll be working on counting, because there’s a lot of counting in cheerleading,” Motley said. “Teamwork, cooperation, safety and trust, and all of the physical aspects of cheerleading.”
She said the performances always make her feel proud of her athletes as well as the little ones.
“They’re still at an age when they’re excited to show off, most of them, instead of being shy,” Motley said. “It’s really cute to see them excited and wanting to show off.”
Cheerleading intern Ashley Baker said she participated in a cheerleading camp at Coeur d’Alene High School when she was about 6. It was an experience that helped shape her future involvement in the sport.
“In high school, when I was cheering on the track or whatever, I would always hear little girls say, ‘When I grow up, I want to be like her,’” she said. “For me it inspires, and I’m setting the goal for what they choose to be when they’re older.”
The cheer camp was held as a fundraiser for the NIC cheerleading squad to participate in the USA Collegiate Cheerleading Championship in Anaheim in February.
Motley said at least one more cheer camp will be held in the summer. No experience is required.
Info: 208-769-3348 or www.nicathletics.com/team.aspx?sport=cheerleading