As students approach the end of the semester, the sideline cheer season comes to an end, and the competitive cheer season just started. In a sport predominantly seen as female-dominated at MACES, a dynamic group of boys are already turning heads and challenging gender norms as they prepare to hit the mat.
Although their season is just now kicking off, these aspiring cheerleaders are proving that the cheerleading mat is a place for everyone, regardless of gender.
As the entire team refines their routines and perfects their stunts, many are buzzing with excitement and enjoyment about the new additions to the team. Coach Perfecto expressed her excitement by saying, “They’re testing their strength. I think what’s fun about having the boys come is that they’re very competitive within themselves. So if they miss catching a girl and the girl falls, not only do they feel bad but then they make themselves work a little bit harder.” Not only do the boys provide the support that was not there before, but they are also working on themselves to test their limits to see how good they can possibly get.
One of the boys, student-athlete Isael Perez, a junior on the Wolfpack cheer team, said, “I didn’t think it was a tough sport at first, I thought it was super easy – like it was just dancing but in fact, it’s not like that at all. There’s a whole bunch of lifting and a whole bunch of strength required to join this support and I have a lot of respect for the people who do it,” said Perez. The boys on the team have had their outlooks on this sport changed upon participating and seeing that cheerleading is a sport that’s easier said than done.
One of the cheerleaders who enjoys the concept of incorporating more boys into the team is senior, Cindy Soto. She is positioned on the team as a flier and is constantly interacting with new members of the team. Soto shared positive words about her teammates, “ I feel like it’s really cool they all came out of nowhere really unexpectedly, but I think they’re doing a really good job and they’re really helping us stay more stable and more comfortable with them.” The collaboration between both boys and girls on the cheerleading team sets the stage for upcoming competitions because of the advantages that having the boys on the team provides. The girls are definitely more confident about the new season having the boys alongside them.
As the boys continue to break down barriers and challenge all kinds of norms, their story serves as a prelude to a long-awaited season that not only promises routines and stunts, but a breakthrough in the way the student body perceives cheerleading as a sport. Stay tuned as these young athletes continue to defy expectations, shatter stereotypes, and bring a refreshing breeze of change into the cheerleading arena.
