This is not your basic ‘cheer or dance’ team

By TaJohn Mitchell

The CSU Pueblo cheer and dance team will be competing at USA (United Spirit Association) Nationals Feb. 26 and 27. Unfortunately, the 2021 nationals were canceled due to COVID-19; however, that just left both teams hungry for more. 

This time around, a lot of pressure is being put upon the students, who are learning different choreography, jumps, tumbling, etc. Cheer and dance are very hard, but that does not define who these great athletes are. 

As a former athlete, I can say that cheerleaders do more than just stand on the sideline and try to pump up a crowd that never really pays much attention. The work starts in the summer to put together a 2 to 3 minute routine, just to compete for two days straight, getting ranked from first to eighth place. 

So, no, this is not your basic “cheer or dance” team. These are student-athletes who work hard at practice – as hard as any athletes out there; who love their team like family; who frequently get injured, but continue to keep pushing through; and most of all, who leave everything on the mat. 

At the end of the day, the cheerleaders know how much they put into the effort, and how hard they worked as a team. Sportsmanship is all that matters. 

This is their time to shine and come back home with another trophy. As a university family, let’s wish them the best of luck, a safe flight to and back and no injuries upon return. What we used to say before we head out from practice: 1, 2, 3 WOLFPACK! AWWOOOOOOO!

TaJohn Mitchell is a junior majoring in media communication with an emphasis in multimedia journalism. He was a member of the cheer and dance squad, and he portrayed Wolfie during the 2021 football season.

Gallery • 11 Photos

More than just a 'cheer and dance' squad, the Colorado State University Pueblo cheer and dance team is a highly tuned collection of athletes who worked for months to perfect routines ahead of this week's nationals. [Courtesy images/CSU Pueblo Cheer and Dance]