Former Land O’ Lakes cheerleaders join Bucs

By Cliff Gill, Special correspondent
Tampa Bay Online
July 03, 2011

Last month, two former Land O’ Lakes cheerleaders, Holly Sellers and Taylor Mock, were selected to cheer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.

Sellers, in her fifth and final year with the Bucs, was also named one of the team’s five captains.

“In high school, we did stunts involving several girls,” she said. “Here, we do team dancing.”

Mock made the squad for the first time.

“Cheerleading is being a part of something even bigger than yourself,” Mock said. “I love cheerleading because of the amazing friendships you create and the trust that builds up through one another. I was made for this sport and I love every minute of it.”

The 34 members of the cheerleading squad practice two to three evenings per week throughout the summer. During home games, the squad is divided into four groups of eight or nine cheerleaders. Two groups cheer along the sidelines and two are along the end zones. When the music begins playing, each group looks to their captain, who starts one of the dances.

The groups rotate after every quarter. At the end of first and third quarters, and during two-minute warnings, the cheerleaders head to the end zones to perform, all doing the same dance.

Former Land O’ Lakes cheerleading coach Pennye Garcia witnessed the development of both Sellers and Mock.

“I have known Holly since she was six years old,” Garcia said. “I coached her in middle school, in high school and at a dance studio.”

Despite not making the Land O’ Lakes squad on her first attempt, Mock refused to give up.

“She pushed herself to learn the routines and, the following year, made the team,” Garcia said.

Current Bucs cheerleading manager, Catherine Boyd, echoed Garcia’s sentiments.

“Holly is a great example of someone who has improved every year she’s been with the Buccaneers,” Boyd said. “She was always prepared, always ready, and always came with a happy demeanor, even though she might have been tired. I think that, for the ladies on this year’s team that are wondering how they’re going to balance everything, she shows that you can do all these things, and succeed at them.

“Taylor was one of the ladies that really embraced the training team experience and put all of her energy into it. In her final interview, she said that she had put everything she possibly could into the tryout, taking extra dance classes and really dedicating herself to being prepared. It showed a lot about her character and desire to be a Buccaneers cheerleader.”

In addition to their cheerleading efforts, each member participates in a wide range of community service activities. Sellers visits local elementary, middle and high schools and participates in local cheerleading clinics to inspire students to stay in school and follow their dreams.

“I also remind them that decisions will follow you for the rest of your life, so make the right ones,” she said.

Mock is a supporter of The Miracle League, a baseball league for children and young adults with disabilities.

“The field and rules are made specially for them, so that every child gets a chance to play and win,” she said. “The parents tell stories of their children insisting on playing despite bouts with kidney stones, broken bones, and recent hospitalizations. The thrill of playing, the cheers from the stands, and the friendships they develop make the Miracle League Field an oasis away from their everyday battles.”

In addition to feeling honored to be selected, both Sellers and Mock recognize that being a Tampa Bay Bucs cheerleader will be a rewarding experience.

“I am so excited for this season to kick off and am ready to get sweaty on that 115-degree field and make my wonderful home town of Land O’ Lakes proud,” Mock said.