Each year the Cheerleading and Stunt team has continued to grow in size and talent, and this year is no different.

The Cheerleading and Stunt team is made up of full-time UW-Platteville students. The team, under the guidance of volunteer coach Patti Mitch and adviser Heather Townsend, is selected through tryouts for both the football and basketball seasons.

“I attend every practice, game and travel with the team while adviser Townsend takes care of team orders, paperwork and the budget as well,” Mitch said.
Mitch became the head coach four years ago after helping out with tryouts as a volunteer.

“I joined for the extracurricular activity and it’s really been a fun social experience being with the girls,” Paul Berns, junior agriculture business major, said. “I’ve learned it’s not all about brute strength but rather balance and timing.”

The team is made up of 21 UW-P students: 18 women and three men. Even those without prior cheerleading experience can join the team through tryouts, athletes are taught everything needed to make the squad.

“The best part of cheerleading, performing stunts, is also the most challenging but we enjoy the challenge. We are constantly trying to do better and prove to other schools that we are the best,” Katie Berglin, senior graphic design major, said.

As the football season winds down and the basketball season begins, tryouts for the basketball season will be taking place.

“I enjoy both seasons, but really enjoy basketball season because we are out of the weather and able to perform more elaborate stunts,” Berglin said.
Practices run twice a week with a walk-through on Fridays before games.

“Each week we have different captains, or cheerleaders in charge. They come up with different stunts and keep practice from becoming too mundane,” Mitch said.

The main focus for the cheerleading and stunt team is on the games and supporting the football and basketball teams.

“We are, however, looking to become competitive by next year,” Mitch said. “We have the talent now, but must first figure out funding and logistics.”

Tryouts for the squad during the basketball season started Oct. 29, and the final squad will be announced Wednesday, Nov. 4. For more information about the squad contact Mitch at mitchp@uwplatt.edu.