The long-anticipated lights will not be the only new sensation on the football field this fall—expect a freshly spirited, promising new cheerleading squad on the sidelines.

After three days to learn two game chants, a jump sequence, a basic cheer and one long dance, the cheerleaders went into the final tryout day.

A panel made up of graduating cheerleaders and staff that had cheer or dance background assessed the girls’ leadership qualities, work ethic, attitude and skill in cheering and dancing.

Sixteen girls, half returning and half new, ultimately made the cut. “I think the new team has an extreme amount of potential, more than ever before,” former coach Anne Thomas said.

Returning girls are ready for favorable change with the 2006-2007 team. “It is definitely going to be different next year because we have new people with different skills,” freshman returning cheerleader Julie Ming said. Next year’s team will have tumblers, diversifying the team’s talents.

Although there are eight new girls on the team, most have solid cheerleading experience. Five girls from JLS Middle School’s strong cheerleading team will join the group.

“I’m excited to cheer with some of my old teammates and some people I just met,” incoming cheerleader and current JLS eighth grader Caroline Mercer said. “I get the impression that they work hard and work well together as a team.”

Having younger girls on the team is beneficial not only because of their skill, but also to keep cheer customs alive. “We have more underclassmen on the team, which is great because they can carry on Gunn traditions as seniors leave,” junior returning cheerleader Becca Maldonado said.

The cheerleaders’ only time off is during the month of May, because a few pre-season practices are held in June and training and preparations will start in full force during July. At these practices, the girls elect two captains by a popular vote and start learning chants, game cheers and stunts.

In August, the team will also attend a week-long cheer camp put on by the United Spirit Association at the University of California, Santa Cruz. “Every minute is scheduled with attending workshops and intense cheering, dancing and stunting in the hot summer weather,” Maldonado said.

Next year, the cheerleaders will be performing at every varsity football game, basketball game and rally, as they did this year. “This coming season I would really like our team to implement new and creative ideas to get the crowd on their feet and cheering with us,” Maldonado said.

In addition, the team may attend a big competition, which it has never done before. “It’s definitely possible for the squad to compete next spring because I think they have the ability, but it’s really up to the coach because it’s a lot to prepare for,” Thomas said.

Unfortunately, Thomas will be moving to the East Bay this fall and will no longer coach or teach at Gunn. “It’s going to be hard because each coach has her own style of teaching and we’ve gotten used to the way Ms. Thomas runs things,” Ming said. “She really knew what she was doing, and we don’t really know what to be prepared for next year, but I hope our next coach will be just as good.”

The search for a new coach is underway, and is determined by the administration, not by Thomas or the team.

As for mascot Timmy the Titan, the tryout process is unique. An informational meeting will be held in late May in which each candidate is asked to prepare a short routine. They will perform on the quad at lunch in early June and the two with the best crowd reaction will become next year’s mascot.

The cheerleaders have high hopes as they approach next year. “Having cheered at Gunn since my freshman year, every year seems to get better,” Maldonado said. “This season of cheerleading is going to be really successful because we not only have new talent, but also dedication and commitment.”