Virtual Tryout the New Cheer Norm

Marty Allison

Dickson Sports Media

*This story has been updated since original publication to include rosters for all local school cheer squads.

To say it's been an unusual spring just doesn't seem to do justice to what we all have experienced over the past few months. These times have been unprecedented. The sports world has come to a screeching halt.

Spring sports have been canceled, and the fall sports season can't get here soon enough. That means football, and football means cheerleaders. With that being said, creativity has come to the forefront, especially for local cheer squads.

Cheerleading squads are typically selected in the spring, but this spring the potential squad hopefuls couldn't gather together for tryouts. I recently spoke with local cheer coaches about the challenges they've faced.

One of the biggest challenges has been getting information out. "The only challenge I've faced is trying to relay information," said Dickson County coach Leslie Gray. "Anytime technology is involved there can be issues. I couldn't get my camera to work (while using Zoom) so they could only hear my voice. I can only imagine how entertaining that must've been for the candidates and their parents."

"My biggest concern is the fact that we may miss some candidates that don't have regular access to technology," said Burns coach Amber Reynolds. "It's the only way we can communicate right now. I've used all avenues I could to get out information."

"Communication was the hardest part for me," added William James coach Jennifer Jenkins. "I had a hard time getting information out to everyone that we were having tryouts."

Lack of an in-person parent meeting was also a concern. "I didn't get to have an in-person parent meeting to meet parents and candidates prior to tryouts," said Creek Wood coach Roni Walton. "I like to have this so that I know my expectations are clear." Walton added that she used Google Classroom because most of the candidates use it already and are familiar with the platform. Dickson Middle coach Bambi Miller and Coach Jenkins also used Google Classroom.

A similar sentiment was shared by Gray. "I hate not getting to interact with the candidates. I always love getting to meet the ones I don't know and watching a bond grow between these athletes over a period of three days."

Mackenzie Buchanan, a veteran cheerleader at Dickson County High School, added, "I don't like that we aren't trying out in person. Trying out with others is way different than trying out in your backyard by yourself."

While experienced cheerleaders like Buchanan may feed off the energy created during a live, group tryout, less experienced and/or younger candidates may find it intimidating. "I think a big pro to this was confidence," added Coach Jenkins. "Some of these middle school students have never cheered before. With the virtual tryouts they could learn at their pace without others watching."

Gray agreed. "I feel like this is a lot less stressful for the candidates trying out. They can make sure that they are absolutely submitting their  best performance. They can be 100% certain that they gave it their best shot."

Walton added, "Participation was up. I think a virtual tryout gave some candidates the confidence to tryout when they might not have otherwise."

Lyrin Trotter, a returning cheerleader at Creek Wood, had this to say. "I liked the fact that we could learn at our own speed from the (training) videos rather than as a huge group, but I disliked the fact that you didn't get to experience the pressure (of a live, group tryout)."

All the coaches I talked with were in agreement that they never want to have to alter cheerleading tryouts because of an event like we're currently dealing with, but all is not lost. Creativity and looking toward the future have provided the motivation to find a way to move forward.

"There are always things that could be improved on in any process," said DMS coach Bambi Miller. "I personally am becoming more comfortable with the online format and am considering incorporating it into my normal process in the coming years."

Burns Middle School

Makayla Buchanan, Chloe McIntyre, Amelia Nesbitt, Aubrey Slavinski, Rayleigh Williams, Sophia Alford, Lilah Dickall, Mallory Keller, Meredith Mangrum, Katie Murry, Reese Russell, Keira Terranova, Addison Bane, Ava Mollenhour, Kayden Tidwell, Madaline Wallace.

Charlotte Middle School

Lillie Baldwin, Anabelle Williams, Landree Trotter, Madison Clark, Brooke Vaughn, Madi Herrell, Grace Knowles, Brooke Rodgers, Mila Davison, Madelyn Harris, Kinley Dew, Jayla Bowker, Madison Sisco, Bentley Proctor.

Creek Wood High School

Kaylee Hayes, Ashley Moore, Teagan Tittle, Braxton Walker, Lyrin Trotter, Haley Sensing, Leah Wauford, Emily Wood, Lexi Dickerson, Sydney Askins, Jaycee Clifton, Haylie Tornay, McKenna Baker, Emma Law, Amber Karnes, Hannah Jackson, McClaren Stokes, Sarah Beth Binkley, Melissa Womack, Hannah Buttrey, Lilyan Rodgers, Emma Suggs.

Dickson County High School

Bethany Adams, Jessica Ayers, Hailey Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Hope Bowen, Mackenzie Buchanan, Anna Cherry, Bri Dixon, Annabray Estes, Camryn Henson, Kylea Johnson, Sierra Parish, Ally Patterson, Reagan Sellers, Laura Spurlock, Katelyn Steele, Amanda Street, Kynslee Tidwell, Rachel West, Courtney Westcott, Hallie Wills.

Dickson Middle School

Riley Davidson, Kyla Dixon, Kylee Dixon, Sierrah Dotson, Margot Dyer, Norah Dyer, Brianna Ellis, Alli Humphreys, Bella Kay Kerr, Blair Kerr, Addi Kate King, Cheyenne Lyons, Briley Patterson, Mia Proctor, Raqueah Ryan, Addie Sanders, Haylee Turner, Morgan Widner.

William James Middle School

Emma Hartsfield, Halee Strickland, Isabella Owens, Elizabeth Nesbitt, Audrey Martin, Mia Hartsfield, Asianah Forrester, Addison Hamm, Carly Gourley, Sophia Hatley, Chelsea Bucio Ruiz, Audrey Pendleton, Lyiah Whitaker.