Cheer program gets jump start
LANDA MCCLURE
Sports Writer
staffwriter2@occc.edu
OCCC has intramural sports, but they have not had a cheerleading team — until now.
Eric Watson, Recreation and Fitness specialist, said Sierra Brajas, political science major, has been placed in charge of organizing a team.
Brajas said she spoke to Watson and he advised her to set up a meeting to see how much interest there was from other students.
“I have always cheered, and when I came to OCCC, they did not have cheer,” she said. “I missed it and I’m sure there are girls who miss it too.”
Brajas said she held the first cheerleading meeting Oct. 30, and four girls attended.
She said she has talked to other girls who also are interested in cheering.
Jessika Brittain, physical therapy major, said she is excited about being able to cheer again.
“I think the squad could have a lot of potential,” Brittain said.
Brajas said in order to be on the team, cheerleaders have to be over 17 when the semester started, a full-time student at OCCC and maintain a grade point average over 2.0.
The squad would only participate in competitions, she said, and would not perform at intramural sport games.
“There are a few competitions including nationals, regionals and state,” Brajas said.
“Nationals will be Feb. 14 and 15 in Anaheim, Calif.”
She said the cheerleaders could compete in two divisions: dance and regular cheer.
According to the National Cheerleading Association, squads can have a mascot who performs with the squad and in an all mascot division.
Brajas said anyone interested in becoming a mascot should attend the next cheerleading meeting.
Although OCCC does not have an official mascot, she said, the team will decide what the mascot would be for the cheer team.
Brajas said she really would like to have a mascot on the team, as well as male cheerleaders.
“If the team is all girls, we can have 16 members,” she said. “If it is coed, we can have 20 members.”
Brajas said the team would have to fundraise in order to buy their uniforms and mats.
The program also is in need of a head coach, she said.
“I have been talking to some people, but nothing is for sure yet,” Brajas said.
“As soon as we have a team together, we are going to start practicing so we can submit videos to the competitions and see if we qualify.”
For more information, contact the Recreation and Fitness Center at 405-682-7860.
