Six of the 25-member university cheer squad practice a "lib extension and drop to a cradle position" that they hope to perform in January at the national championships in Orlando, Fla.

Cheer and dance teams to vie for national title

by Mary Lisa Russell

Three cheers for Fresno State -- dance and cheer squads that is.

Both squads have become the first teams from California ever to qualify for the Collegiate National Cheer and Dance Championships. They will compete for the national title from Jan. 7 to 10 at

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Nine women on the dance team and 16 men and women from Fresno State's cheer team qualified from universities competing across the nation.

"I don't think most people know just how hard these students train to be on the squad," said Adair Vasilovich, cheer coach and adviser. "They practice four days a week, weight train three days per week, and cheer at all the sports and community events."

Vasilovich said members of the squad are full-time students and many hold part-time jobs. "They are not on a cheer scholarship and only receive $200 per semester for being on the cheer and dance squads," she said.

Vasilovich added that her team members also had to maintain the same academic standards as any other student athletes.

"We still need to raise $25,000 to send our squads to the competition in January," said Vasilovich. "We have a real chance to win, and believe me, these kids have worked for it."

Vasilovich said that it will cost nearly $800 per student to send the cheer and dance team to the competition.

Anyone interested in helping the cheer and dance squads may send a check to California State University, Fresno Foundation, Cheer and Dance, 5244 N. Jackson M/S KS45, Fresno, CA 93740-8023.