OPSU Announces Cheer Team

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2018-19 Aggie Cheer Team Announced
Released by Panhandle State Sports Information on 05/30/2018

Goodwell, Okla.-After the first round of tryouts, Head Coach Alyssa Freeman is proud to list 19 members on Panhandle State’s new NAIA Competitive Cheer roster for the 2018-19 season.

University President Dr. Tim Faltyn was pleased with the initial turnout stating, “Adding new programs like Competitive Cheer is vital to the health of this University. I am proud to see that it has taken off so quickly, and excited to see Coach Freeman creating more opportunities for our students. It is a true privilege to watch ideas turn into reality and see each new goal set achieved.”

With the intention to fill all 24 spots before the fall semester starts, a second tryout has been scheduled at the end of June. The team’s current roll call includes eight returners: Darily Carrillo (SO-Guymon, Okla.), Kaley Conner (SO-Keyes, Okla.), Dayanna Flores (JR-Guymon, Okla.), Jerianna Gardner (JR-Brighton, Colo.), Jess Rocha-Groves (SR-Guymon, Okla.), Miquel Hudson (SO-McKinney, Texas), Hannah Johnson (JR-Texhoma, Okla.) and Alondra Parra (JR-Clinton, Okla.).

Eleven newcomers were added including: Shauna Adams (FR-Vilas, Colo.), Breanna Boley (SO-Goodwell/Garden City CC), Payton Cruzan (SO-Guymon, Okla.), Cat DelReal-Word (JR-Texhoma/Dodge City CC), De’Adryelle Fites (SO-Dallas, Texas), Krystal Hernandez (JR-Texhoma, Okla.), April Jauregui (FR-Guymon, Okla.), Kati Keimig (FR-Guymon, Okla.), Chyenna Lucero (FR-Guymon, Okla.) Chloe Westcott (FR-Goodwell) and Jordan Whitfield (SR-Texhoma/SWOSU).

Coach Freeman is already setting the bar high and looks forward to building the team into a championship caliber program. “My expectations for this new team are to develop new skills, learn new techniques, stunts and routines. I want to create a foundation that has not yet been achieved in the past years.” Freeman expressed her goals to the group following tryouts on May 23, “The goals I have for this team are to first, create a family, learn how to support one another on and off the cheer mats, support all of the sports here at OPSU, support the community and become a strong competition team.”

The new squad has already started summer practices and hopes to add more male athletes over the next few months to bring their stunting abilities to new heights. Open tryouts will take place on Saturday, June 23 at the Noble Athletic Center on the OPSU campus. The one-day clinic runs from 9 a.m. until Noon with an hour break for lunch followed by judged tryouts which will begin at 1 p.m. Participants will learn a chant, cheer and sideline dance as well as practice jumps, stunting and tumbling that morning; the material will then be performed in front of a panel of judges.

Mascot tryouts will also take place on June 23, as the search for the next No Man Dan begins. Interested mascot candidates can contact Coach Freeman directly for more information on tryouts. Each tryout contestant (cheer and mascot) must fill out a liability release waiver and show proof of insurance at registration which will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

It’s a great time to be an Aggie and an exciting time for the Panhandle State Cheer Team! Coach Freeman may be reached by email at [email protected].

Justine Gaskamp Sports Information Director/Athletic Events Coordinator