Goodbye Swim, Hello Cheer!

Last week was high school cheerleading tryouts for next year. Now, Peyton has been doing cheer since the 3rd grade. Remember, my previous post about her not wanting me to sign her up for cheerleading in the 8th grade? Luckily, I didn't listen to her (sometimes we have to go with our gut). She did do 8th grade cheer after getting over being mad at me for signing her up and had an absolute blast doing it. (I told her that if she had any inkling at that time of trying out for cheer in high school then she could not quit her last year before high school.)

Well, these tryouts were no joke. They had to tumble (probably her weakest element but she's working on it and actually is super strong from swim and can do a walking handstand) and working on a back walk over and back handspring. Then they had to have really good jumps (she does); be a good stunter (she is a base and strong); perform a very, very fast and hard dance (created by the current Varsity Cheer Captain who also happened to be her 8th grade high school cheer coach); and lastly perform a cheer. I guess I should mention you also had to fill out questions about why you wanted to be a high school cheerleader AND get two recommendations from current teachers including your PE teacher. 

We agreed she would tryout for basketball cheer only since swimming (something she's also been doing since the 3rd grade) is a fall sport and I really wanted her to try high school swim for at least her freshman year. However, unbeknownst to me til much later she told the coach that she would do both seasons (and to be fair they did say you had a better chance of making it if you did both seasons). 

So she practiced, went to clinics and tumbling class, and last Thursday she performed at the final tryout. We get an email a little before 9pm that evening saying that she made it! She was beyond excited. She did work very, very hard for this and wanted it so bad. But, I think mostly so she wouldn't have to swim anymore! She's free! Almost. She still has to complete her spring/early summer club season where she will swim mostly just practices to keep in shape. She is signed up to compete in only one meet but she's done. Hates her coach there and is realistic about where she would be on a high school with a swim team that is always in the top five in state. She's a good swimmer - just not nearly as good as some of these superstars at our high school and on her club team. I guess I can't blame her. She wanted to work at something she has a chance at and good for her for going after it. She says she's not giving up the pool entirely though - plans to pursue some water polo and eventually be a lifeguard so I guess all that swimming was good for something besides exercise!

Anyway, congrats to P on making JV Cheer!