2015 Charger Girls Features Cream of the Crop
TOP ROW (L – R)
Brittney, Taylor, Shelbi, Allie, Jenna, Colette, Hailey, Whitney, Jayme
MIDDLE ROW (L – R)
Teran, Angie, Delani, Katelyn, Bridget J., Roxi, Lauren, Angelica, Devin, Karissa
BOTTOM ROW (L – R)
Elizabeth, Rebecca, Beatrix, Kayla, Gabrielle, Bridget C., Tina, Tawnie, Tyler
By Ricky Henne
Chargers.com
April 10, 2015
Gabrielle was in this position exactly one year ago.
Trying out for the Charger Girls for the very first time, she anxiously sat arm in arm with the other hopefuls as the hottest dance team in the NFL was announced. She celebrated when her number was called, but while she was a wreck last year, she was even a bigger bundle of nerves this year.
That’s because she knew what was at stake.
“Coming back this year was honestly the scariest audition because I knew what I had to lose,” she said moments after learning she’d made the cut for the second straight season. “I wanted to come in with confidence, but of course I was nervous. I know what made me come back was so much more than just dancing. When I made it last year I was like, ‘Yay! I get to dance on the sidelines for the Chargers!’ But this year, I know it is so much more than that. We get to be role models, especially for the Junior Charger Girls and the youth we interact with. We get to be ambassadors for the organization and the community. Along with the sisterhood of girls you join and getting to dance, it’s honestly an irreplaceable feeling. I’m so grateful to be back!”
That sentiment was shared by each returning veteran as being a Charger Girl is an experience they never want to give up.
“Auditions get more and more intense each year because you know what you have to miss,” said Karissa, who made the team for the third consecutive season. “You want to be able to come back and relish in everything you’ve experienced. There is nothing like it, which is why the auditions are so nerve-wracking. It’s like a roller coaster, and you’re going tick-tick-tick the whole time. It’s an amazing ride, and I’m so happy for everyone who made it. It’s a whirlwind experience.”
Hundreds of girls auditioned once again for a coveted spot on the 28 woman squad. Auditioners came from all over the globe, from as close as San Diego to as far as Australia. They ranged in age from 18 to the mid-40s as they chased their lifelong dream of being a Charger Girl.
View gallery: Best of Charger Girls Final Auditions
“It’s incredibly rewarding each and every year to have women try out of different backgrounds, style and talent,” said Lisa Simmons, who is entering her 11th season as Charger Girls Director. “It’s something we look forward to as it’s a reminder every year that we have a prestigious program that hundreds of women want to be a part of. The organization is one that is sought after for cheerleaders and dancers. It challenges us to continue to raise the bar, and pull in that excitement and energy every season.”
The audition process began on Sunday, and when the sun set the cream of the crop was narrowed down to 72. The remaining hopefuls conducted interviews with the judging panel throughout the week before reconvening for finals on Thursday night. As always, finalists had to perform two dances – the first a set choreographed routine and the second an individual free style one. While it’s always a tough decision to whittle the talented field down to just 28, Simmons believes this year’s squad is among the best they’ve ever assembled.
“This is the most difficult night as we have tough decisions to make, especially this year. We deliberated for almost two hours, which is good because it means we have a lot of talent to pull from. We want that, and it’s a good problem to have. We are confident that we’ve put together the best possible team. It gives us a lot to look forward to. It is an incredibly talented team of accomplished women. They are ambitious, beautiful and driven women who are also cheerleaders at heart. You can feel that energy in the room, so we are thrilled with this year’s squad.”
The dream of being a Charger Girl may be best embodied in Rebecca. She grew up in America’s Finest City watching the them perform every Sunday with the lifelong goal to one day be a member. Having her number called Thursday night was an emotional experience as it culminated a dream that was a lifetime in the making.
“This is an indescribable feeling and I’m still in shock right now,” she said with a huge smile. “I’m a senior in high school, so this has been a huge dream come true for me and I couldn’t be happier than I am right now. When my number was called I couldn’t believe it. Did they really just say that? I started to cry. I watched the Charger Girls perform all the time growing up, and what it meant to be a part of that team and how happy they were radiated in their performances. I always wanted to be a part of this, and now I am!”
