The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

Is Cheerleading a sport? One reporter’s quest to find out

Just to clarify readers, no I am not the “official” Observer columnist, though many characterize me with traits pertaining to those of a young Ben Gloger. Well this month, my “informal” column addresses an issue that has just come to my attention: according to a legal judge ruling in a court case at Quinnipiac University, cheerleading cannot legally be considered a “sport”.

 

Well, in my book, due to the sheer physical power and yet parallel finesse and grace that cheerleaders exert, it is a blatant injustice, and complete violation of my deep convictions to consider cheerleading as anything less than a sport.

 

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Where then, readers, does the line end in defining a sport. When observing “sports” that today’s society glorifies, (football, basketball and baseball) each activity bears one thing in common: sheer and raw physical exertion in an organized manner.

 

Now let me clarify, there is, in fact, a bold distinction between competitive, organized, cheerleading and drunken exclamations of a fan’s loyalty to the Redskins.

 

First of all, how cheerleaders manage to pull off some of the maneuvers they demonstrate is beyond me. I am convinced they are wizards, or at least contortionists, for that matter. Now you might be saying, come on Charles bears, I can pull off the splits and cartwheels. Well if this is true, more power to you, but I am going to find out first hand if the average man can pull off such stunts.

 

I like to consider myself a young man with an average body type, with the exception of my abs of steel and guns so powerful they should be outlawed in the United States. I therefore think I provide an accurate barometer of the ability of an average cheerleader-wannabe to pull off such stunts. My first attempt: the splits.

 

Sporting a skin tight jumpsuit in order to reduce the chance of baggy clothing affecting my performance, I was ready to attempt the splits.

 

Now being of the male gender, I knew I could not just go about attempting the splits all willy nilly. I would need to approach such a delicate procedure with the knowledge of a seasoned veteran.

 

Upon further research, I found out that attempting the splits with legs extended in front and behind the body is the best approach for a first timer. I squared my feet up, and thought to myself “here goes nothing.” My legs formed no more than a 90 degree angle, and I immediately knew this was my body’s limit; the underside of my legs were in a state of excruciating pain. I then concluded that the splits are beyond the ability of the common man (emphasis on man).

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Is Cheerleading a sport? One reporter’s quest to find out