SEPTEMBER 2019 120 SHAPE.COM
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ILLUSTRATION BY SEAN McCABE
S
ome people associate cheerleading with pom-poms and sidelines, but
the sport has evolved a lot. There are always new skills to learn. And the
stamina it takes for a two-minute routine would shock you. So what’s
the drill? I practice once a week with my squad, Cheer New York. We
all have day jobs, but we perform at events to raise money for LGBTQ causes.
You have to keep your core tight and your moves sharp and stay on count
since lives are on the line with some of the moves. Such as? Basket tosses:
When your teammates are throwing you over 20 feet into the air, you need
to have faith that they’ll catch you. The bases, meanwhile, are count-
ing on the flier to stay as tight as possible for the catch. Any go-to
gear? I wear Nike Cheer Unite Sneakers, which are designed for
cheerleading. Plus, I’ve found Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid
Lipstick lasts through anything, including cheering a five-hour pa-
rade in the summer. Most rewarding parts? We’ve donated nearly
$100,000 since I started. And I’ve conquered my fear of heights!
Brooklyn, New York
