Cheering on their own winning streak
Imagine competing in four competitions, placing third in the Cheer Alliance Provincials last year, taking the top number one spot back-to-back in the Power Cheer Athletics (PCA) nations in the college division, and taking second (just next to the Western Mustangs) in the level six college division a few weekends ago in Michigan.
Sounds perfect right, now imagine competing under a school's name-yet you don't get any funding for your team.
The Fanshawe Black Falcons work their asses off, with two hour practices three times a week, to get where they are today. A team made up of male and female Fanshawe students spend their time in the gym practicing tumbling, tosses, strength and skills before they gear up to head to Detroit, Michigan on February 21 for another level six competition.
“Power cheerleading is sport involving lots of strength and flexibility. Your position on the team will alter the many skills that you are required to perform,” said Andrea Senyk, who is a base on the Black Falcon's, cheering for seven years, two of them for The Falcons.
“Power cheerleaders compete their routines at competitions and receive points for difficulty, skills, and points get taken off for falls, bobbles or touch downs. For those who don't know the sport it is an acrobatic, strength, gymnastics and a touch of dance sport, similar to the routines seen on the movie “Bring It On.”
Although the team does not receive funding from Fanshawe College they have got permission from Fanshawe to add it to their team name.
“The team pays for their own uniforms, entrance fees and hotels. [Our] coach added the black to the name to make the team seem stronger and more experienced,” said Senyk, but the team chooses to practice off campus because Fanshawe does not have the proper gym space, and mats required to power cheer.
“We are always looking for cheerleaders to join, but at this point in the year we will just be looking for next year. We really hope to receive great talent for the New Year, as well as to keep our college national title,” said Senyk. “Hopefully we encourage other colleges to compete with us as our team is one of few bringing college cheerleading up to par with university cheer teams.”
Next weekend the Fanshawe Black Falcon's are heading down to Detroit to compete in another level six competition, so when you see a member of the team sporting a Black Falcon's shirt, or selling baked goods (which were delicious by the way) wish them good luck, and check them out on Youtube by searching Fanshawe Black Falcon Cheerleading.
Sounds perfect right, now imagine competing under a school's name-yet you don't get any funding for your team.
The Fanshawe Black Falcons work their asses off, with two hour practices three times a week, to get where they are today. A team made up of male and female Fanshawe students spend their time in the gym practicing tumbling, tosses, strength and skills before they gear up to head to Detroit, Michigan on February 21 for another level six competition.
“Power cheerleading is sport involving lots of strength and flexibility. Your position on the team will alter the many skills that you are required to perform,” said Andrea Senyk, who is a base on the Black Falcon's, cheering for seven years, two of them for The Falcons.
“Power cheerleaders compete their routines at competitions and receive points for difficulty, skills, and points get taken off for falls, bobbles or touch downs. For those who don't know the sport it is an acrobatic, strength, gymnastics and a touch of dance sport, similar to the routines seen on the movie “Bring It On.”
Although the team does not receive funding from Fanshawe College they have got permission from Fanshawe to add it to their team name.
“The team pays for their own uniforms, entrance fees and hotels. [Our] coach added the black to the name to make the team seem stronger and more experienced,” said Senyk, but the team chooses to practice off campus because Fanshawe does not have the proper gym space, and mats required to power cheer.
“We are always looking for cheerleaders to join, but at this point in the year we will just be looking for next year. We really hope to receive great talent for the New Year, as well as to keep our college national title,” said Senyk. “Hopefully we encourage other colleges to compete with us as our team is one of few bringing college cheerleading up to par with university cheer teams.”
Next weekend the Fanshawe Black Falcon's are heading down to Detroit to compete in another level six competition, so when you see a member of the team sporting a Black Falcon's shirt, or selling baked goods (which were delicious by the way) wish them good luck, and check them out on Youtube by searching Fanshawe Black Falcon Cheerleading.
