I am proud to say I am a cheerleader, and I am an over-the-top, spirited woman cheering on the sidelines.

But what I am more proud of is that the Baker University spirit squad is finally being recognized for its athleticism.

In just this past year, I feel as if the spirit squad has come really far.

I used to hear people say the spirit squad did not practice as hard as other athletic teams or that the team has the easy job of just cheering on the sidelines.

What people don’t know is that the spirit squad does more than that.

For example, look at how the dance team performed at competition last year in Orlando.

The women made it further than some thought they would ever go. I am proud of them. I am proud to look at them and say they won a national title.

It is a big deal and the hard work paid off.

As for the cheer squad, it has hit a few bumps in the road.

The team had fewer cheerleaders on the roster in the past few years, and has also had difficulties with competitions.

My freshman year, the cheer squad did not even show up to the HAAC competition due to last-minute injuries to multiple team members, and this past year, injuries the night before the competition left the team scrambling. The team had to re-construct the whole routine the day of the competition, and it left a slim opportunity to place in the conference competition.

The fact of the matter is that the cheer squad pulled through and tried its hardest, as any other athletic team would do.

This year is a new year, and the cheerleading squad has made some significant improvements.

There are more women on the team than in previous years and there is a new coach that is testing the team’s limits.

Overall, the cheer squad is showing Baker University that it can be athletic.

Never has the team worked out as much as it has this year. Up until October, there have been two, 6 a.m. practices a week. Now, there is only one 6 a.m. workout, along with three other practices, plus a game to cheer at almost every week.

The new adjustments to the squad really have been beneficial.

I feel as though people see and know we are taking it serious this time around and want to be known as more than just those women cheering on the sidelines.

The team really does want to get in better shape, to perform more elite stunts and to have the audiences see that the team does as much as any other athletic team at Baker..

The cheerleaders practice and perform at athletic events, and have a certain job to do on the field, but this year, it is about showing the people who have underestimated the cheerleader’s athleticism, that they are real athletes and can do more than in the past few years.