Cheerleading | 3/31/2017 9:54:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Cheerleaders brought home a second-place trophy from the recent Cheer Ltd. Nationals at CANAM, held in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Wingate competes in the Medium Coed Collegiate category. The Bulldogs placed third last year.
 
Wingate senior captain Janine Hazel (Statesville, N.C.) and sophomore Kylee Russell (Charlotte, N.C.) provided the Wingate Athletic Media Relations office with reflections on their nationals' experience.
 
Janine Hazel, senior captain
Statesville, N.C. (Statesville HS)
 
As a senior and captain, my perspective and attitude evolved compared to the past years. I was given the opportunity to lead 24 other cheerleaders. I was looked up to more than before…and I felt accountability for the team. Also, I was able to witness many cheerleaders grow and become better people through my guidance; however, the most admirable part was that this team chose me for this role…and trusted me with it.
 
In 2014, when this program began competing, many adjustments had to be made. It was a new experience for much of the team. Although the proceeding years included many adjustments and new experiences, this program has grown and shown massive improvements. This program is gaining more respect from the student body, this program is becoming well known in the surrounding areas and is bringing in more prospects each year.
 
Nevertheless, this year brought many challenges. We were faced with losing cheerleaders during football season, an injury during basketball season and then multiple injuries during competition season; however, the challenges always turned into advances. When the team lost members, we received talented new members through our second tryout. When the team had multiple injuries, all of them returned just in time to be ready for the competition. There was not a challenge this team did not overcome…and it was overcome together.
 
During competition season, this team built a strong bond, one which was stronger than the one already built. We learned each other's strengths and weaknesses, we learned how to push each other through our downfalls and praise one another for our accomplishments. Most importantly, we built trust.
 
Going on the mat for the first and last time with this team was a bittersweet moment. I knew that this would be the last time this team would compete together, but I also knew that in those two minutes and thirty seconds we were going to hit the best routine we could, together. Nothing and no one else matters during this time…and this attitude is what brought home a second-place trophy at Nationals.
 
Knowing we did our best, and improved from the previous years was a victory in itself. Competing with this year's team was one of the most memorable moments of my cheerleading career.
 
Kylee Russell, sophomore
Charlotte, N.C. (Lake Norman Charter School)
 
Entering Wingate University as a freshman, I would have never considered myself to be a "real" cheerleader. When wanting to find my place at Wingate, I needed something which would allow me to become involved on campus, stay active, as well as develop a friend group. I tried out for the cheerleading team on a whim, not expecting to make it, but figured my dance background and little cheer experience in high school might help me kind of blend in during the tryouts.
 
By the wonderful grace of God, I made the team…and for this I am forever grateful. Not only has this team helped shape me into the person I am today, but as cliché as it may sound, they have become to be like family. I don't think many people understand just how grueling it is to be on a cheerleading team…I know I didn't…but it took me joining this team to truly realize just how talented and well-rounded these girls are.
 
If you don't know, our season is basically year round. We cheer for football, go straight into basketball, all the while preparing for competition in between. Although cheering both football and basketball is great, I personally love competition season. We spend months putting together a three-minute routine, working tirelessly perfecting each motion, jump and stunt. Practice hours lengthen and days seem to go by slow, but all is worth it when all of the hard work you have been putting forth, truly pays off.
 
For the third year in a row, we attended the Cheer Ltd Nationals at CANAM in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Nerves were through the roof, especially for me because I had a big part in the routine this year, but with the encouragement of my fellow teammates as well as my amazing coach, I knew we could do it. Once I made this realization, all that was left to be done was to let go and let God.
 
Being able to spend that time with my team leading up to our performance, as well as on the mat was amazing. We as team came together, and although we had many obstacles thrown our way before competing, we were able to hit a solid routine and show the judges just exactly how hard we had been working. There are truly no words to describe the feeling when it was all said and done.
 
Although we fell short of first place, and came in second, none of that mattered because it was the experiences and the friendships we received that will leave an everlasting impact. I truly owe all of our success to our wonderful coach. Our head coach Kelly Sheppard is one of a kind…her drive to make us better as not only cheerleaders, but individuals as well does not go unnoticed. Without her, the Wingate Cheer Program would not be where it is today. I can't believe our season has already come and gone so quickly, but I cannot wait to start back up in a few short weeks. 
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,200 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 35 minors, 12 career concentrations, nine pre-professional programs, master's degrees in accounting, business, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in education, pharmacy and physical therapy.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 10 years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
               
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 88 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 88 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 97 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.