Friday, March 12 - 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. - Team Selection / Judging panel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can my athlete participate in cheer and another sport?

A student can participate in one sport per season.  Cheer is a sport for Fall and Winter seasons, which means that if your student cheers during Fall Season they would not be eligible to play volleyball, cross country or dance team or vice versa.  During Winter Season, basketball, dance team, and cheer fall the same season so a student would need to choose which sport/activity they would like to go out for.

Can a student cheer Fall or Winter Season instead of both seasons?

Absolutely!  At the time of try-outs, a student will select what season(s) they are trying out for.   Many cheerleaders have cheered Fall (Football season) and played basketball during Winter Season (Basketball season).

Do Summit Cheerleaders participate in Cheer Competitions?  If so, when are they?

Yes!  This is one of the most exciting parts for our cheerleaders to shine and show the many talents they have.  Our competition season falls during Football Season (Fall).  Our competitions typically fall on Saturdays at the end of September and through the month of October.  

Do all Fall Season (Football Season) cheerleaders automatically make the competition squad?

No.  Competition Squad is selected from girls that made Football Season and have the required skills to make the competition squad.  Also, some girls want to cheer football season but do not want to compete.  This is perfectly fine.  The student would note on their try-out packet they are interested in Football Season but not competition squad.

What skill(s) are needed to be considered for Summit's Competitive Cheer Squad?

The student would need to have a solid back handspring and solid roundoff back handspring to be considered for the competitive cheer squad.  We also are looking for students that have a positive attitude and are team players.  A competition routine requires everyone doing their part and working together as a team.  Competition squad members are also required to attend weekly squad tumbling/stunting sessin at our gym Indiana Ultimate.

What skill(s) does a student need to have to make sideline cheerleading for the Summit Cheer Squad?

This is the most frequently asked question I get.  We prefer all cheerleaders have a back handspring but it isn't a requirement for sideline.  To make the Summit Cheer Squad we look at several areas to see if the student overall fits what we are looking for.  These are areas the students are evaluated on for both sideline and competition at try-outs:

+Attitude - I can not emphasize this enough...a positive attitude makes a huge difference.  Is the student a team player?
+Spirit - Is the student peppy, smiling, getting others around them excited
+Voice - Is the student saying the words loudly and clearly. 
+Jumps -  What are the students jumps like?  Pointed toes, technique, height
+Motions - Motions tight, sharp and punched out.  Are arms in proper placement?  Thumbs tucked in.
+Dance - Does the student pick up quickly on the dance or do they go home and work hard until they have it?  We dance a lot in cheer.
+Tumbling - What standing tumbling and running tumbling skills does the student have?  Body awareness.
+Commitment - Is the student showing up and on time for try-outs.  Are they following guidelines...no jewelry, no gum, cell phones put away.

Is there Expenses involved with Summit Cheer?

Yes.  Do to the nature of cheer and the type of uniforms we wear, there are more than many sports that need to be purchased by the individual cheerleader/parents.  Unifits are a compression-type top that is not shared athlete to athlete...the same for a few pairs of compression shorts (aka spanks) that the athletes wear under their uniforms and for practices.  Due to hygiene, these items are never shared or passed down.  A complete list of required items is included along with pricing in the cheer try-out packet.  

When does Summit Cheer start and finish?  What do the seasons look like?

Great question!  For students that choose to cheer both Fall and Winter Seasons, our season runs about 10 months of the year.  Try-outs take place in March and required tumbling/stunting starts just following try-outs.  Typically, Stunt Camp is in May and Choreography in June most years.  During the summer months, we have practices a couple times a week.  These practices are highly recommend to be out but not required.  Required practices for Football Season cheerleaders start in August.  

Football games runs typically from the end of August to mid-October with one game a week. During football season, we also have competition season.  Competition squad typical years practice 3 to 4 days a week.  Sideline only cheerleaders go to practices as designated.  Typically, once games start sideline girls know all the material needed and will not have practices.   We get about a 2 week window after football Season for Basketball Season.  The 2-3 weeks before Basketball we learn Basketball Season material.

Basketball Season runs mid-November to the end of January most years.  During basketball season, we cheer for both boys and girls basketball and have usually 2 games a week.  Once games start, we typically do not have practices.  

What grades are eligible for Summit Cheer?

Currently, students in 7th and 8th grade are eligible to try out for cheerleading.

*Note all Handbook policies are in effect for Summit Cheer.  Students also need to meet academic guidelines in the Handbook to participate in cheer.

If you have further questions, please call or text Coach Carrie at (260)416-1771.