Bryn Martens hit the refresh button on her computer rapidly for fourty minutes straight April 11. She was waiting to see if she had made one of the four open spots on the Arkansas Razorback cheerleading squad.
“I felt like I was going to break the refresh button on my computer,” said Martens. “It was supposed to be up at 5:00 but it came up at 5:40.”
One week later seniors Amahni Howell and Kathleen Smith were waiting anxiously at the door of the Faris Center to see if they’d made the University of Central Arkansas cheerleading squad.
“I had so many butterflies,” said Smith. We went to eat at Stobys and waited for the list to be posted. I couldn’t even eat my food because I was too nervous.”
Martens, Howell, and Smith will be cheerleading at various sporting events at UCA and the University of Arkansas.
“I will cheer at home football games, women’s basketball games, gymnastics meets, and volleyball games,” said Martens.
“I will cheer at all home basketball games and football games,” said Howell.
For Martens, tryouts started by making it past video cuts in February. She went through the tryout clinic April 1-2.
“Tryouts were fun. I just felt so privileged to be there and make it past DVD cuts,” said Martens.
Howell and Smith went through their tryout clinic at UCA April 14, 15, 16.
“It was intimidating because there were a lot of good people trying out, 83 people,” said Smith.
“It was fun after the first day because of all the nerves. It was very relaxed, but stressful each night while waiting for who made the cuts to be posted,” said Howell.
After a long couple of days, Martens, Howell, and Smith were thrilled to learn that they’d made the cut, the would-be college cheerleaders.
“I was so excited I had finally accomplished one of my dreams,” said Martens. “It’s been a dream of mine to cheer at Arkansas. I’m thrilled that I get to continue doing what I love at the collegiate level.”
“I was so happy that I cried,” said Howell. “I’m most excited about the practices. Cheerleading is something that I absolutely love, and I love to get better and accomplish new skills.”
“I was silent. I just stood there in shock,” said Smith. “I’m most excited to cheer at football because it’s my favorite sport and competition.”
