Photo By Yanelli Zavina Robles
By Valeryah Lara-Urrea
America’s most dangerous college sport is:
• Football
• Lacrosse
• Wrestling
• Rugby
• Cheerleading
It is not even close.
Cheerleaders, per capita, suffer the most sprains, broken bones, concussions, back injuries and other athletic maladies. (Gymnastics is second). It is one of the rare sports where athletes fly through the air high above the ground and trust their teammates to catch them. It requires the strength to throw teammates high in the air, the flexibility to do splits like a dancer and the vocal power of a Broadway singer.
Southwestern College cheerleaders are elite athletes and the only athletic team in the institution’s 64-year history to win a national championship. They are much loved and in demand, all despite being mostly self-funded and at the end of the line for use of the gym. (Some practices start at 10 p.m.)
Cheerleaders are not even listed on the Athletic Department’s webpage.
They are, however, an essential part of the college athletic experience as ambassadors, representatives and…well, cheerleaders. Southwestern’s cheerleaders have a loyal cheering section of their own and a loyal coach who loves them.
Head Coach Nina Williams has led the squad for 24 years, following her time as an SWC cheerleader when she was a student. She has almost singlehandedly kept the program going through thick and thin as well as thin and thin.
“Cheer at Southwestern is a family,” she said. “We are a community that connects and supports each other in many more ways than just being a sport.”
Williams said cheerleaders are terrific athletes and great folks because they like to see people happy and inspired. They are also fierce supporters of the men and women who play other team sports. SWC, she said, has a special place in her heart for providing a place for cheerleaders.
“Southwestern College means a great deal to me because I formed some of the closest relationships I have in my life today with students I’ve met,” she said. “I treasure that. I cherish that.”
Cheerleader Miranda Gabbert said being on the squad helped her transition from high school to college and provides a positive group of friends.
“Cheerleading is an escape from all the stressful things in a college student’s life,” she said. “When I step out on the mat everything else just goes away.”
Normally cheerful, Gabbert confessed to being a bit sad that so many people do not know Southwestern College has a cheerleading team or how good it is.
“We make a difference because we represent the school,” she said. “When you have the uniform on you are the face of Southwestern College. You have to show that. I think the school and team itself need to work a lot harder at advertising us.”
Skimpy funding and anonymity have never derailed the team, which is the longest-standing community college cheer program in San Diego County. Williams said passion and dedication have to fill the gaps.
Basketball coach Tyrone Shelly is a fan. The cheerleaders accompanied the team to away games at Santa Monica and Fullerton, earned the gratitude of the coach and both the men’s and women’s teams.
“We appreciate all the love,” Shelly said. “We want to keep playing so they can keep coming back.”
Count on it, said Williams. Southwestern’ s cheerleaders aren’t going anywhere except back to the gym to practice and the sidelines to cheer. (Or to fly through the air.)
