Oklahoma Woman Becomes Denver Broncos Cheerleader

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By Steve Shaw
News 9
April 29, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY –

A 20-year-old Choctaw woman just found out she’s been chosen as a member of the 2014 Denver Broncos Cheerleading Squad.

Hayle Johnson has been dancing since she was two years old.

Earlier this month, Johnson spent nearly two weeks in Denver, where she competed with 152 other ladies for 26 slots.

Johnson plans to move to Denver in a few weeks to begin preseason training with her other 25 teammates.

“I would have to say that I wasn’t for sure going to make it, or not, just because there were so many good girls there,” Johnson said.

Two seasons ago, Johnson danced on an elite cheer squad that performed during the 2013 Super Bowl.

Our Favorite Photos – Los Angeles Laker Girl Jessica

This month is our Tenth Anniversary and to celebrate we’re posting some of our all-time favorite photos.


Laker Girl Jessica in 2012.

The Lakers Girls are the gold standard of NBA cheerleading and whenever I get a chance to photograph them, I try to do so.  I have been able to photograph them a few times over the years, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so because of the league’s camera policy.

So in 2012, I was able to photograph the Laker Girls at an L.A. D-fenders game and I was able to snap several great photos of Laker Girl Jessica, but this one image is my favorite.  I guess you can say I am a sucker for a girl with beautiful eyes and a great smile.

David Tyau, National Correspondent

NY Jets Flight Crew Semi-Finals

On the last Saturday on March the NY Jets Flight Crew held auditions for the 2014-15 squad.

The following  day about 100 semifinalists returned for the next round.

Flight Crew Director Denise Garvey is now in her 8th season of running the squad.

 

April, Andrea, Cassandra and Gabby

Denise taught the semi-finalists a dance performance…

and a kick-line routine…

followed by the dancers dropping into a split.

Next up: The Finals!

[Flight Crew Audition Gallery]

Our Favorite Photos – Tampa “RainDears”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders

This photo is from the 2008 season. The sky opened up in a blinding storm right at quarter end. Most fans abandoned their seats, and it appeared to be just me and the cheerleaders left out in the rain. My philosophy has always been, if they stay and dance in the elements I’m staying to photograph. Not a bad shot for my simple point & shoot camera of those days. Captured four of my all-time favorites. Barbara-Rachel-Milly-Tiffany.

Student Hopes to Join the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

Dancer hopes her hard work pays off in efforts to become a member of the professional cheerleading team

By Hannah Johannes and Taylor Williams
TCU360.com

When the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders take the field in the fall, a TCU student hopes to be among them.

Joining the squad is a longtime dream of Courtney Johnson, a first-year strategic communication major.

“I see DCC as a sisterhood of incredible, inspiring, poised leaders,” Johnson said. “Once I met some of the current cheerleaders, I became even more encouraged, and knew I wanted to be in their position.”

Johnson devotes more than 20 hours a week to dance, taking classes at TCU as well as taking private lessons with current DCC members.

Johnson has been training for the DCC auditions since August 2013, going from two to seven prep classes a week.

A typical day for Johnson starts with a 6 a.m. workout class at the University Recreation Center.

From there, Johnson works at the front desk of Sherley Hall, where she works on her homework assignments. After work, she attends classes until 5 p.m, and then immediately heads to dance practice.

Most of the time, Johnson drives to Dallas to train with current and alumnae DCC cheerleaders, choreographers and the technical coach, Kitty Carter. Johnson said she generally gets back to her dorm at either 1 or 2 a.m.

“I am so busy, and I love it.” Johnson said. “It makes my life so exciting.”

Along with dance practice, Johnson studies the history of the Dallas Cowboys by listening to podcasts on her walks to class. She also said that when she carpools to dance with friends, they have practice interview sessions.

The hopeful Dallas Cowboys cheerleader said she never stops dancing. When the Rec Center multipurpose rooms are closed, she uses the mirrors in the locker room. If that doesn’t work, she lines up mirrors in her room to practice.

Melinda McNatt, Johnson’s former coach of eight years and owner of Spirit of Tyler gym, said that Courtney is one of the hardest workers she’s ever worked with.

“She would be the first in the gym and the last to leave,” McNatt said.

Johnson said her ultimate goal is to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, but along the way she hopes to be an inspiration to others.

“I want other people to know that it feels incredible to pursue your dreams,” Johnson said.

Christen Lockett, a first-year pre-business major, describes Johnson as having “a beautiful spirit that shines through her dancing.”

Johnson said she wants to join other Horned Frogs who have ties to the Dallas Cowboys.

In 1961, TCU defensive tackle Bob Lilly was the Dallas Cowboys’ first draft choice, and the current DCC director is a TCU alumna. The DCC have also included former TCU Showgirls alumnae Kelsey Bond, Jordan Daigle and Emma Dutton in recent years.

“I used to dream about coming to TCU, training at the elite dance studios in Dallas, and auditioning for DCC,” Johnson said. “Now I have translated those dreams into goals.”

Auditions for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will start May 10.

Watch a video of this report here.