We asked readers to send us their college cheerleading questions, and every month you’ll find the answers from a top college cheerleader right here at americancheerleader.com. Our first expert is West Virginia University cheerleader and AC’s February Cheerleader of the Month, Johnna Petitte.

Do you have a question for a college cheerleader? If so, send it to acmail@americancheerleader.com, subject: Ask a College Cheerleader; or post your question as a comment at the bottom of this article.

Q: Dear Johnna,

I’m currently a cheerleader at a Division II college in West Virginia, but next year I’d like to try out for West Virginia University (the same school as you!). I was wondering if you have any tips on increasing my flexibility and improving my partner stunting/top girl skills (I’ve always been a back spot). Thanks a lot! —Leisha B., West Virginia

A: Hi Leisha,

That’s great you’re going to try out for WVU! It’s seriously a great program and you would love every second of it! A major part of tryouts is partner stunting. I’m not sure if you stunt all-girl or coed now , but WVU is a coed team and we do a lot of partner stunting. I know there aren’t many male cheerleaders in West Virginia, but if you can find someone to partner stunt with a couple times a week, that will definitely help you at tryouts! If you can’t find anyone, you could always come up to Morgantown for a weekend and some of our guy cheerleaders would love to help you learn! Good luck, and hope to see you at WVU this year! —Johnna

Q: Dear Johnna,

I’ve cheered since I could count, and it’s been my life ever since. I’ve cheered with two different all-star teams, and I’ve cheered with my high school for five years. I’m ready to move on to the college level, however I’m very nervous that I’ll come across as mediocre. What can I do to stand out, and what tips do you have for a standing tuck? —Ashley L., Virginia

A: Hi Ashley!

Cheerleading in college is so much fun and such a great experience and opportunity! It seems like you have a lot of cheerleading experience, so there’s no reason to be nervous. You just need to find out what the minimum requirements are for tryouts and make sure you’ve mastered them. Then work on the extra skills that will help you stand out. It’s always good to have a standing tuck—most college teams require this skill now. If you’re working on landing your standing tuck, I would suggest doing it over and over again (with a coach or tumbling instructor). It may take a while, but if you keep working and practicing hard, you’ll get it! Try doing it off a folded panel mat, then keep lowering the mat until you’re performing the tuck from the ground—this helps a lot of people. Good luck, Ashley. Just be confident and show off your skills! —Johnna

Johnna’s College Tryout Tips:

• Do your research! Look at as many cheer programs and schools as you can so you can find the one that’s best for you.

• Watch YouTube videos of college squads performing at Nationals and games to see what style you’re drawn to.

• Go to cheer camps hosted by universities each year.

• Make sure you meet all the minimum requirements before trying out.

• If you’re making a tryout video, take the time to make sure it’s perfect and features your best skills in both tumbling and stunting.

• During tryouts, pay extra attention to your appearance to stand out from the pack.

Do you have a question for a college cheerleader? If so, send it to acmail@americancheerleader.com, subject: Ask a College Cheerleader; or post your question as a comment at the bottom of this article.

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