We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!”

Tuesday, December 5, 2006:

For an idea of just what I mean, check out the amazing South Fork Panther Midget Cheer squad from North Carolina , rooting mightily for their Panther Midget Football team. These girls are one of the very best “field cheer” squads we've seen in years at the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Watch ‘em rock out their amazing variety of moves, and listen to their high-powered, hip-hoppin' cheers, and you'll know why the tried-and-true adage “We've Got Spirit , Yes We Do!” fits this squad to a tee!

But, how do you put together as spirited a bunch as this Panther Midget Cheer squad? “ Over the years , we've had a lot of these girls stay together. They come back and we move them up,” says Monica, one of the Panthers' coaches.
“Plus, we have a great team to cheer for! ”, echoes her squad. “And, the reason why we come up with so many cheers, is that we have wonderful coaches, “ says Brittany, one of the Panthers, to which all the others laugh in agreement. “I don't know,” Brittany quickly adds, “We just go with whatever works at a given moment.”

Cammy, another of these spirited Panthers, and one of several who have been with the South Fork program for four years, tells me “We've gotten better every year. At the beginning of a season , with new members coming in, you don't know what to expect. But, they turn out to be great people.”

And talk about a family activity, one of the girls has a twin brother on the Panthers football team, “Number 54!”, she says proudly, pointing to her numbered jersey (one of many that these girls wear as part of the sideline cheer uniforms)

So, what's the favorite time of the year for this South Fork Panther Midget Cheer squad? “COMPETITION!” they all shout in unison. “It starts in October,” they add. And how does the “competition” cycle go? “It starts in your local area,” explains Coach Monica. “First, second and third place finishers advance to the Regionals. Then first and second place at Regionals advance to Nationals.” So, we'll be seeing and hearing more from the Panthers next door at “The Milk House” later this week ? “ You bet! Absolutely! We're the best!”, the girls add enthusiastically. Coach Monica explains, “We're in the ‘Midget Large Advanced' category, and we're on for Friday. They divide the Pop Warner Midget squads into “Small' and ‘Large' by size of the group, then by ‘Novice,' ‘ Intermediate' and ‘Advanced', by experience”.

So, how many Panther cheerleaders have come back to help with the current squad to keep that big-time cheer tradition rolling-along in South Fork, NC? “Oh, lots!” say the girls. “And, many of our Pop Warner squad members have advanced to both high school and college cheer squads,” add the Panther coaches.

So, how about the “choreography?” What determines how their routines go? “We coaches do mostly,” says Coach Monica. “ We work on routines that the girls will like. We try to put in the music that they like. We want it all to be fun, and something that they are going to enjoy doing.”

Okay then, I'm psyched! So, what time can we see the Panthers do their “competition” routine here at Pop Warner Nationals? “ Friday morning at 11:07 ...come see us!”, shout the Panthers. You bet I will! And, if you're coming to Disney's Wide World of Sports on Friday, you should be there too! After all, if “they've got spirit” (and the Panthers sure do !), yes, if “they've got spirit”, then how ‘bout YOU!

More of “Field Notes” soon!