March 3, 2012
Edmonton Eskimos
Kylee’s Blog – Eskimo Cheer Team
Despite the fact that this will be my fourth year trying out for the Edmonton Eskimo Cheer Team, my experience at the 2012 tryouts was something out of the ordinary. I had surgery, and I was unable to dance in the first round of tryouts. I was forced to sit in the stands and watch all of the girls learn the new material then perform it for the choreographer. It broke my heart to be taking notes on the choreography so I could learn it before the next tryout date, instead of being a part of the action with the rest of my teammates. I love to perform, so it was devastating to have to live this experience vicariously through the other girls.
While it was hard to sit on the side and watch everyone learning the choreography and performing the first new dance, it also let me watch the prospective team from the view point of a fan. It reminded me of how important it is to be in shape in order to have the stamina to perform the high-energy routines, while smiling, performing, and making the dance something interesting for the fans to watch.
The next tryout date is Monday, March 5th at Perfect Storm Athletics, the home of the Edmonton Eskimo Cheer Team. Dancers will be learning a second routine that we will be judged on, and stunters will continue to demonstrate their skills for their judging panel. Prospective cheerleaders will return on Wednesday, March 7th for the first round of cuts. After that, we will show up, “game day ready” of course, on Sunday, March 11th, when the dancers perform both dance routines for the final audition round. The final list of 2012 Eskimo Cheer Team members will be posted that evening.
I don’t think I have ever been so excited to learn new material with my teammates as I will be this Monday after having to painfully watch and sit on the sidelines last week! I am so happy that this long, tryout process is almost over, and the new 2012 Cheer Team will soon be announced. Prospective cheerleaders have been working hard during the off-season to train, and we have all been attending multiple dance classes, stunt workshops, and prep-sessions since the last week of January to prepare us for March 11th. I have had such an incredible experience on the team over the past three seasons, and I am so excited to share this experience during tryouts with all of the hopefuls.
This is a special season, as the Eskimo football team is coming off a high from last season, and the league is celebrating the 100th Grey Cup in November. Anticipating how special the 2012 season will be makes all of us, as possible future Eskimo Cheer Team members, work even harder and want to be a part of this team even more.
Spectators are encouraged to come watch the final auditions at Perfect Storm (18536-111 Avenue) on Sunday, March 11 at 11:30am.