SPC Names New Texan Cheerleaders for 2008-09

Thirteen ladies were recently named Texan Cheerleaders after tryouts were held at South Plains College.

The 2008-09 Texan Cheerleading squad will include three returners and 10 newcomers.

Returning to the squad will be Yvette Carrasco of Hart, Steffi Norman of Post and Kristen Vela of Brownfield. Newcomers to the squad will include Miranda Adams of Petersburg, Sarah Bednarz of Slaton, Miranda Casas of Littlefield, Shandria Few of Roby, Marina Garza of Levelland, Paige McCain of Crane, Desiree' Mesquias of Levelland, Jazmin Mojica of Sudan, Lauren Pruitt of Whiteface and Denika Swoopes of Lubbock.

The South Plains College Texan Cheerleaders have continued a reputation of excellence in the Western Junior College Athletics Conference for their dynamite choreography, athletic stunts and energetic cheers. They recently returned from Hutchison, Kan., where they cheered on the SPC men's basketball team as they won an NJCAA National Championship.

Many of the squad’s successes can be attributed to a private AmeriCheer camp they have attended for the past five summers. This camp allows the girls to get to know each other while also learning to utilize each other’s talents. The camp helps the girls to incorporate some dance moves into their pom and cheer routines. “Camp is a great opportunity for the girls to bond and become a family,” explained Linda McCulloch, Texan Cheerleader director. “The strong relationship among the team helps them to better promote SPC spirit and makes them more effective as a team.”

The cheerleaders routinely wow the crowd with their combination of energetic cheers and choreographed dance routines to the hottest music on the charts from hip hop to jazz and everything in between.

This year marks McCulloch’s ninth year as the director of the cheerleaders and takes the job very seriously. She promotes the importance of self-worth, nutrition, teamwork, character, sportsmanship and motivation to the squad. “These girls all have the potential to do great things, not only in cheerleading, but in life,” McCulloch said. “I want them to strive for perfection during the half-time performances and take that work ethic and utilize it in their academics, careers and lives,” she added.

The hard work has paid off as the Texan Cheerleaders have upheld their reputation of excellence in the WJCAC Conference being known for their innovative cheers and dance routines. This reputation allows the program to recruit top cheerleading athletes from the high school level.

The cheerleaders strive to energize the crowd at the games while also serving as college and athletic ambassadors both on and off the court. Several members of the squad serve as Campus Ambassadors and the girls also participate in community service events such as Take a Child to the Game Night and the Angel Tree project. The girls also help present awards and sell t-shirts at many SPC athletic events.