Kingwood Dancers Celebrate Spots on Texans Cheerleading Squad
By Jennifer Summer
KingswoodNews.com
Dancing has always been a passion for both Ashley Brown and Mackenzie Cota; they could even say it runs in their blood.
From the time they were both young girls, the Kingwood High School graduates started taking dance classes, learning different styles of dance and techniques, and working hard to progress as dancers.
Through their hard work and determination, Cota and Brown recently earned spots as cheerleaders on the Houston Texans cheerleading squad and will make their debut next football season.
“It was truly unbelievable hearing my number called as one of the 2011-2012 Houston Texans cheerleaders. I had put it in God’s hands and mentally prepared myself for either outcome, so I was pleasantly surprised to have made the squad,” Cota said.
The auditions for the squad can be grueling with more than 600 dancers competing for a spot on the team.
It was narrowed down to around 53 girls in the finals where only 35 would make it on the squad.
“Trying out for the Texans was a fantastic experience, trying but yet very rewarding. I learned a great deal through the tryouts and met a lot of great girls too. When it was announced that I made the finals and then chosen for the squad, it was thrilling, a moment I will never forget,” Brown said.
Brown fell in love with dancing after she sat in the front row of a dancing show on a cruise ship.
From there, she progressed from dance classes to a spot on the Kingwood High School Fillies dance team, which helped her learn how to perform on the field, and then to trying out for the Texans cheerleading squad.
It was only around two years ago that Cota considered becoming an NFL cheerleader when she realized how much she missed performing with a team.
“Dancing is still fun when you are taking classes by yourself or dancing with friends, but there is nothing like the thrill of performing in front of thousands of people,” Cota added.
Cota’s husband and mother supported her throughout the process even as her mom is battling breast cancer.
Brown and Cota are both looking forward to the 2011-2012 Houston Texans football season where they will get the chance to perform dance routines with 33 other ladies.
“It is beyond words that I made it. This truly has been the most exciting dance accomplishment I have made in my career,” Brown said.
