Thanks to reader James who sent us a few photos from last weekend.

First a pair of Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders at a charity car wash:

Tracey and Cheryl

Two-year veteran Tracey

Two-year veteran Cheryl

Then a pair of Washington Redskins Cheerleaders at the AT&T Store in Tysons Corner Center

Redskins Cheerleaders Brittni and Megs

Four-year veteran Brittni

Three-year veteran Megs

By Susan Fair
Carroll County Times

Stephanie during the Heat Dancers Finals

Stephanie Hettchen had never been a cheerleader, but at the age of 18 she became the youngest woman to make the Redskinette Cheerleaders squad.

“I never was a cheerleader. Technically I trained in dance for 18 years,” Hettchen, now 20, said.

This year, the enthusiastic South Carroll High School graduate has made a squad of a different type: She recently left Maryland to become a member of the Miami Heat Dancers, the cheerleaders for the Miami Heat basketball team.

With about 600 other young women auditioning for only 25 open positions, Hettchen faced some stiff competition, but was undaunted. “Tryouts were the best experience ever,” recalled Hettchen.

She was one of only four newcomers chosen; the other 21 selected were returning veterans of the Miami Heat Dancers.

Janine M. Thompson, director of the Miami Heat Dancers, said, “Stephanie has great presence and poise. She stood out during the initial round of auditions, and captured the attention of all the judges. During her interview, she was very professional and pleasant. We look forward to working with her this season.”

Hettchen’s background as a Redskinette should serve her well in her new position. “Being a Redskins Cheerleader was an awesome opportunity,” she said. “I’m a huge football fan, so to be able to be out on the field performing every Sunday was great … not only to be on the field but be able to travel overseas to Aruba, India, Germany, England and Hong Kong to share our talents.”

She credits her friends and family with contributing to her successes. “My friends and family are very proud and have supported me since day one of my dancing. Without them I would not be where I am today and I’m very thankful to have so much support.”

Her parents know how much hard work has gone into her achievements. Her father, John Hettchen, said, “Stephanie has worked very hard to achieve her dream of becoming a professional dancer - countless hours and sacrifice throughout the years - and we are very proud of her.”

Stephanie Hettchen has nothing but excitement and optimism for her new challenges. “I am definitely ready,” she said, “for a great season with a great group of girls.”

So, in the pre-season the starters see limited action. On Friday night Redskins QB Donovan McNabb was only around long enough to throw eight passes.

By contrast, I think the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders might have set a record for onfield performances.

The Redskins Cheerleaders danced on the field during the pre-game and at halftime. They also performed in the end zones at the quarter breaks and during both two-minute warnings. That’s six times. It’s a lot, but by no means a record.

But the Redskins Cheerleaders also hit the field and perform after every Redskins touchdown, and the Redskins scored six times on Friday night.

That’s a total of 12 performances, plus the sideline routines, And it was all done in that steamy August heat that DC is famous for.

Not sure if twelve is a record. I’ll have to get Sasha to check her archives on that.

[Redskins Cheerleaders Gallery]

[Redskins Cheerleaders Website]

By Peter Mucha, Staff Writer
Philadelphia Inquirer
August 10, 2010

Not players. Not coaches. Not fans.

Under “NFL KICKOFF!” the cover of Maxim magazine gives top billing to “CHEERLEADERS ON TRAMPOLINES.”

Featured in photos are only four airborne dancers - and one is from the Eagles.

She’s Ivelisse Rivera, 22, dental assistant, Hammonton High grad, Atlantic County resident, and three-year veteran of the Bird’s sideline squad.

Two years ago, another Eagles enthusiaser, Janelle Stangl, appeared in Maxim, sporting little more than an Eagles towel.

In the September issue, officially on newsstands today, a pom-pom-waving Rivera leaps in a green and black bikini.

There was a trampoline, she said, but it didn’t make the layout, which also features the Miami Dolphins’ Ashton, the Washington Redskins’ Tracey with a megaphone, and an upside-down Nina of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Maxim also poses leading questions to the cheerleaders.

“You must have a pretty strong stomach to be able to dig in people’s mouths,” the mag mentions to Rivera.

“Nothing skeeves me out,” she responds. “I see a lot of gross stuff in oral surgery, like a cyst being cut out of someone’s mouth. The weirdest thing, though, is seeing dentures. Old people just take them out and hand them to you.”

Ivelisse (pronounced EE-vel-ees) was born in North Jersey to parents from Puerto Rico - her favorite vacation spot. “There is nothing better than being in a tropical island with all of your family,” she said on the Eagles website.

She told Maxim she likes guys in uniforms, that being “really perky” helps her calm nervous patients down, and that “I’m not really a girly girl. I never wear makeup - just ChapStick and eyeliner.”

“How can a guy get a girl to don a cheerleader uniform in the sack?” Maxim asks.

“Compliment her body,” she says. “Tell her she’s beautiful. All that positive stuff will make her feel comfortable and good about herself. And then pick out the uniform you want to see her in.”

She told us she’s dating a senior running back from Southern Illinois University, but hopes he doesn’t get drafted by the Eagles, because cheerleaders can’t date home-team players.

“I definitely want to come back for a couple more years,” she said.

She had no problem when fellow squad member Krystle Campbell skipped practice to spend time with her injured beau, Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.

“She’s a great girl, and she works very hard,” Rivera said.

As for the Maxim shoot, she said, “It was a huge deal. I was so excited to be in it. Never in a million years did I think I would get picked. It was a lot of fun. Something I’ll never forget.”

Two actual Eagles players - receiver DeSean Jackson and punter Saverio “Sav” Rocca - are briefly spotlighted in a football feature. Their pictures are smaller than Rivera’s pom-poms. Another article, “The Ultimate Bracket Battle,” has the 1978 Steelers eclipsing the 1985 Chicago Bears as the best NFL team ever.

Redskins.com
August 2010

Hey everyone, it’s Tracey here! I just got home from an awesome trip to New York City for my photo shoot for MAXIM magazine! I was incredibly flattered to be one of only four women selected from the NFL to be featured in this year’s cheerleading addition of MAXIM. To be honest, I was beyond honored and completely shocked to have even been selected amongst the 39 stunningly beautiful women that make up our Redskins cheerleading squad. It made me very proud to represent this group of women! I had such an amazing time so I want to share my experience with our Redskins Nation.

My trip to the Big Apple started on Monday, June 21st. I took the train in from D.C. and spent the day walking around New York and taking in the sites…a.k.a. shopping. I had an early dinner and went straight to bed in preparation of my big shoot in the A.M. However, my nerves/anxiousness got the best of me and I woke up every 30 mins after 2 a.m.! Finally, by 7:15 a.m., I gave up and it was time for me to shower and get ready for my 9:30 a.m. call time!

My cheerleading coach Stephanie, her baby boy Max, her mom and I all jumped in a cab and headed over to the famous Chelsea Pier’s Studio 59 for my shoot! It was great to have my little entourage for support - Max even rocked his Redskins gear for me!

I was the first girl to shoot, so the second I got there I felt like a rockstar! We went over wardrobe with the MAXIM stylist, then I sat down for hair and make-up in front of the big “Hollywood” light mirrors. My make-up artist and hair stylists rocked! We were talking and laughing the whole time and they took good care of me. They gave me big bouncy curls, and a soft smokey-eyed look - very hot, very MAXIM! Once it was wardrobe time, they selected our very own jersey uniform top, paired with sexy, little, burgundy bathing suit bottoms, provided by the MAXIM stylist. Now I was ready to jump in front of the camera, literally!

The MAXIM set was different than the normal calendar shoot scenes I was used to. For this photo shoot I was to be jumping on a trampoline and they were catching my poses in mid air while I switched between holding pom pons and a megaphone! It was WILD! It was by far the most challenging shoot I have done to date, but I love a challenge - I had so much fun! I had to concentrate on switching up my poses, holding them in the air, keeping up my energy, having steady bounces, trying not to bounce right off the thing - all while relaxing my face and changing up my expressions. It was a workout and I broke a sweat! I don’t know how I jumped on a trampoline for as long as I did when I was a kid!

Following me was the Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Ashton, Ivelisse from the Philadelphia Eagles, and last but not least, Nina from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I think I can speak on behalf of all of us and say that we were all so honored to have been selected to represent the women in the NFL.

My shoot was unbelievable. I was so happy with how my photos turned out! I can’t wait until the magazine is out this September! I want to thank The Washington Redskins, MAXIM magazine, and all of the crew! It was an experience of a lifetime. So EVERYONE check me out in the September issue of MAXIM!

Click here for video coverage of NFL Cheerleaders on Trampolines on Maxim.com.
Click here to view the 2010 NFL Cheerleaders Preview photos on Maxim.com.

NFL.com’s cheerleader galleries are back. This week’s collection includes dance teams from the Ravens, Falcons, Bengals, Cowboys, Colts, and Redskins. Click here to go there now.

Last Saturday was another scorcher in the DC Area, but that didn’t stop ten of thousands of fans from coming out to Redskins Park for Fan Day. The Cheerleaders got a bit of a break and came out in the late morning, before the day got even hotter.

Fans were treated to couple of performances…

And a chance for photos and autographs..

Redskins Cheerleader Director and Choreographer Stephanie Jojokian flew back from Japan the night before Fan Day. She was teaching dance clinics to kids and adults with former Redskins Cheerleader Maki. This the 4th year Stephanie has taught in Japan.

Line Captain Sabrina

[Redskins Cheerleaders Gallery]

I can’t be everywhere. Fortunately, two weeks ago when I was unable to attend the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Calendar Release Party Ron and Pro Bowl Dan were there. Here are a few of the photos they took.

Order the calendar here.