Cheerleading is a Sport

Story by Miracle Mason. Picture by Shawnee Mason.

JAN 7, 2020: I have been cheering with the Rosedale Tigers competitive cheerleading team for two years. I started cheering because I wanted something fun and nice to do during my spare time. Ever since I started cheering, I have heard conversations about whether or not cheerleading is a sport. It seems weird to me that this is a question, but I know, cheerleading is a sport!

My cheer squad practices, exercises, works together and competes just like any other team sport. 

One sport that nobody argues with that is similar to cheerleading is gymnastics. If gymnastics is a sport, then cheerleading is too! Unlike gymnasts, cheerleaders do not use beams to perform, but they do perform the same or similar flips and tricks as gymnasts on mats. This is why I know that cheerleading is a sport. 

Sports have lasting impacts on athletes and cheerleading has had an impact on me. I wasn’t always confident about the things that I could do, but cheering has made me work hard and try my best so that I can do anything I want. Not only do I believe in myself when I’m on the cheering mat, but I believe in myself at school and at home too! If anybody is looking for a sport that will bring out the best in them, keep them in shape, and have fun while doing it, cheerleading is the way to go. I love to cheer!

Miracle Mason is a 4th grade scholar at Friendship Blow Pierce Academy.