By Warren Kulo
GulfLive.com
Saintsations Chastity Sorrels (left) and Sarah Friday -- both Coast natives -- made an appearance in downtown Ocean Springs Monday to sign autographs and pose for photos
With the New Orleans Saints sitting at 5-0 and in first place in the NFC South, it doesn’t take much these days to elicit smiles from Saints fans.
But fans were given even more reason to smile Monday afternoon in Ocean Springs as two members of the Saintsations cheerleading squad made an appearance at a downtown pub.
Best of all, both young women are homegrown.
Sarah Friday, 21, is a 2010 graduate of St. Martin High School, where she was (surprise!) a cheerleader and dance team member. Her mother, Cheryl Friday, is a teacher at St. Martin Middle School.
Alongside Friday was 27-year-old Chastity Sorrels, a Picayune native and Biloxi High School teacher now in her fourth season with the Saintsations.
The two posed for pictures and signed Saintsation calendars for fans at Kwitzky’s Dugout on Government Street. Their appearance was sponsored by Tim Wold of F.E.B. Distributing.
After high school, Friday went on to dance at Pearl River Community College and said she “wanted to continue dancing,” which led her to audition for the Saintsations in April.
Sorrels said anywhere from 100 to 350 aspiring Saintsations try out each year, with 32-36 ultimately making the squad. Tryouts last a week and in addition to proving their dancing skills, each candidate is required to pass a football knowledge test issued by the NFL.
“It’s an unbelievable experience,” Friday said of her first season. “It’s very rewarding in every way.”
The two Coast women are among six from Mississippi this season.
Once selected in April, the squad practices twice a week every week prior to and during the season — including weeks when the Saints are on the road. NFL cheerleading squads only perform at home games.
One practice is held in Baton Rouge, with the other in New Orleans — meaning the two Coast natives are on the road quite a bit.
For the married Sorrels, it makes for a hectic schedule. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Sports Administration, she earned a Masters in Education from William Carey in 2010 — the same year she became a Saintsation.
“It was crazy that year,” she said. “That was the year after we won the Super Bowl. There must have been 350 girls trying out that year.”
She now teaches and is, naturally, the cheerleading coach at Biloxi High.
“What keeps me coming back is meeting new people, making new friends,” Sorrels said. “Plus it also gives me an opportunity to set a good example for my girls (cheerleaders).”
CHEER CHANNEL INTRODUCES NEW INDUSTRY TALK SHOW “ON THE MAT” WITH MAKENZI SWICEGOOD
Cheer Channel Inc. (CCI), the #1 online news and entertainment network for the spirit industry, announced today that it will launch a new cheer industry talk show On The Mat, hosted by Makenzi Swicegood. The show will take viewers behind-the-scenes of cheerleading gyms across the country and offer an inside scoop on gyms and teams throughout the industry. The CCI original series will have its world premier in October and will continue with bi-weekly episodes which can be viewed on the Cheer Channel Network YouTube channel, Cheer Channel website, and On The Mat Facebook page.
The host of On The Mat, Makenzi Swicegood, is an actress, model, spokeswoman, former Cheer Athletics and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. She is the daughter of Jody Melton and Ginger Swicegood-Melton, owners of Cheer Athletics All Stars in Plano, Texas. Swicegood has also previously been a host for the Cheer Channel at cheer events. “I am thrilled to join this project with Cheer Channel,” commented Swicegood. “Creating an outlet for exciting, unique, and uplifting messages from gyms across the country is a great way to show that all-star cheerleading is more than just cheerleading. It is a world of strong and positive individuals making a difference in their communities as well as on the mat.”
Viewers of On The Mat can expect to see industry highlights, two featured “Gyms-of-the-Month,” coach and cheerleader interviews, and who to watch on the road to worlds. Swicegood will also be following causes and showcasing teams from around the country that are making outstanding achievements in communities, causes, and campaigns. Viewers will also have the chance to get involved in the show by participating in show contests for a chance to win prizes from Cheer Channel and On The Mat sponsors. Fans may submit special stories or teams for recognition on the official show Facebook page.
“Makenzi was the obvious choice for this show,” said Cindy Villarreal, CEO of CCI. “She is such a known and respected figure in the industry and we know she will do a terrific job bringing the real world of cheer gyms to life.” CCI and Swicegood were present at the Cheer Athletics Showcase in Plano, Texas on October 3-5 to film and conduct interviews for On The Mat.
Rookie Sea Gals Zoe & Ashley
By Kaylee, 5th Year MVC
Vikings.com
Five years later, the words, “Kaylee- we would like you to be part of this year’s Minnesota Vikings Cheerleading team,” never get old. However in 2013, the words meant so much more for two reasons; Making the team meant, one, we would be the last MVC team to cheer in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, and, two, we would be the first MVC team to travel and host an NFL international game in London!
Our MVC team has worked for months to prepare for this experience. We learned and refined our routines, worked on our fitness and stamina, and brushed up on our “Queen’s English.” But how can you truly prepare yourself what is sure to be, a once in a lifetime experience? The Vikings organization prides itself as being a “world-class” organization, and we knew as MVC, this was our opportunity to prove ourselves, and to spread the Vikings spirit in a “world-class” fashion.
After a long trip across the pond, we arrived the Tuesday before game day in London and headed straight for Wembley Stadium! We joined the whole Vikings organization in hosting a “Play 60” event for local boys & girls. This was the first of many awesome events for the week! There were so many events, including photo shoots and performances that kept the 35 MVC very busy throughout the week, all over London. We attended radio & television broadcasts, Vikings sponsored events, political gatherings, and even took part in photo shoots at various historical and popular London landmarks. The team maximized free time as well, and saw Westminster Abby, Parliament, the London “Eye”, and Big Ben. We toured the inside of Buckingham Palace, gazed out the top of the Shard (Europe’s tallest building), and couldn’t pass up shopping on Regent and Oxford streets! It was easy to work out while running through the city’s enchanting parks, we navigated the ‘tube” transport system, and even visited the infamous “9 3/4” stop for our many Harry Potter fanatics.
It did not take long to realize the great presence of Vikings fans in Europe. There are so many fans who love the Purple and Gold! Many people traveled from Norway, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Switzerland, you name it! All were there to cheer for American Football, and their favorite team in the NFL (although we hope our win persuaded them to be Vikings fans!) It was truly spectacular to witness the crowds of people from across the world in the name of football…or American football – whatever you call it. It reaffirmed the magnitude of this game for not only the Vikings, but also the NFL!
The London game was an adventure the 2013 MVC will never forget, and a memory we will continue to share forever. Thank you to all the Vikings organization and the NFL for making it possible, to the Vikings players for pulling out a WIN, and most of all, to the fans who made it a dream come true!!
[Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders]
The Capitals have posted new videos of the Red Rockers Auditions and photo shoot:
The Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards had the same ownership so it’s no surprise that our good friend Derric Whitfield who’s been running the Wizards Girls will now be even busier as he is now also the choreographer for the Red Rockers.
Members of the San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers traveled to Mexico City last month to promote the Spurs regular season game against the Timberwolves coming up this December.
[Silver Dancers in Mexico Blog]
[Silver Dancers in Mexico Gallery]
[Silver Dancers in Mexico Video]
The ROAR of Jacksonville and the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders aren’t the only NFL Cheerleaders visiting the UK. A couple of weeks ago the NFL All-Star Cheerleaders took London by storm.
Sasha of course immediately recognized these ladies as former San Diego Charger Girls. So perhaps this is an e2k production.
Yesterday outside MetLife Stadium – Ashley of the Gotham City Cheerleaders
Who said Pro Cheerleaders weren’t tough? The Gotham City Cheerleaders, dubbed as the Unofficial Dancers of the NY Giants, will take on the 12 mile obstacle course in New Jersey next week and are inviting fans and supporters to ride by their side in the city’s most challenging indoor-cycling ride – Revolve’s RIP Ride as they get ready for the Tough Mudder.
As if training for football season all summer wasn’t challenging enough, this group of professional football cheerleaders is taking their training to the next level in an effort to fundraise for the current season; and they are willing to work for it. The team is participating in the Tough Mudder Tri-State 12 mile obstacle course at the Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ on Oct. 12. The Gotham City Cheerleaders (GCC) rounded up a few sponsors to place silent bids for the team to make it across the finish line under the average time in order to collect any of the bids. The current average completion time is 3.5 hours, according to Tough Mudder’s website.
The peak of the GCC’s Tough training now culminates in a 60 minute indoor cycling RIP Ride class at Revolve where Giants fans and athletic enthusiasts alike can join the team as a final motivation before the big day. The class is set for Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 8:30pm at Revolve studios located in Union Square on 52 E. 13th St. between University and Broadway.
“This year we are taking our training up a notch while raising funds for our team and we are sure working for it. It’s exciting to participate through what we expect to be the hardest physical challenge we have yet to overcome as a team,” said BriAnna, the GCC’s 2nd year team captain.
Training for the Tough Mudder began in July. CheerFIT, the official trainer of the GCC, has incorporated several intense cardio and interval training sessions into the team’s regular season training. CheerFIT’s founder, Danielle Wechsler, will also run with the team.
“Since July, we have had weekly cheerFIT bootcamps to get the team Tough Mudder ready and prove that yes, cheerleaders are tough! Training incorporates total body exercises to not only build endurance and strengthen the core, arms and legs, but also works to sculpt and define. The team has seen amazing results and crossing the cheerFIT training with Revolve’s RIPRide will be a perfect final prep before the big event,” assures Wechsler.
Rhythm In Motion, LLC a deejay and entertainment company based out of Brooklyn, is one of 5 companies sponsoring the team in a silent bid. To ensure the timely completion, the CEO of Rhythm In Motion will also join in on the race along with other marathon runners.
Any riders interested in joining the GCC on the RIP Ride can visit the Revolve site at www.revolvefitness.com starting Monday, Oct. 7 at 8:30 a.m. Riders will receive complimentary spin shoes for the class, autographed team cards and the chance to win various prizes from both the GCC and Revolve.
From WISHTV.com
When the Colts take the field Sunday, Oct. 6 for Game 5, some players will don pink cleats and jerseys as part of the NFL’s “A Crucial Catch” campaign, in partnership with the American Cancer Society.
The league-wide campaign highlights the importance of annual cancer screenings, with games during the month of October focusing specifically on Breast Cancer Awareness.
Even the game ticket to Sunday’s home game against the Seattle Seahawks features a breast cancer survivor with special ties to the Colts. Andrea Farrell was a former Colts cheerleader from 2002 to 2004. She was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in January 2012, three months after the birth of her son, Luke.
“Your body is changing so much after you have a child,” Farrell says. “So, one day I happened to feel a lump in my breast and I called my doctor. I went in for tests and they confirmed my fears – I had Stage II breast cancer.”
Farrell was 36 at the time of her diagnosis and was physically fit and active.
“I felt like I was watching a movie – like it was someone else’s life on the screen,” she said. “I thought this couldn’t happen to me because I was young, healthy, I exercised and ate well.”
Farrell underwent a series of tests and found she had the BRCA-1 gene, a hereditary link to cancer. Her tests came back triple negative, indicating the lump in her breast was not driven by hormones, rather it’s “just something that’s part of my makeup,” Farrell says.
Farrell’s doctor determined the best course of action was for Farrell to undergo four months of chemotherapy, which resulted in a complete response. She had a double mastectomy in August 2012 and learned the next month she was cancer free.
“I was declared cancer-free just before my son’s first birthday on Sept. 13th, 2012,” she said. “So we had a huge party to celebrate his birthday and me beating cancer.”
During her recovery, Farrell realized the undergarments available to women undergoing mastectomies and lumpectomies were not “geared toward the younger, active patient.” So she embarked on a journey to create an undergarment, similar to a sports bra, that addresses the needs of these patients.
In creating Blush Life Apparel, Farrell chose a patented fabric, SeaCell, made from seaweed harvested off the coast of Iceland, made to be soft on skin still sensitive from radiation treatments.
The undergarments also feature slits on the sides for drains, accommodating those patients who are required to drain fluid from a detachable drain bulb a few times a day. Those drains are left for 1-2 weeks after surgery until the patient returns for a follow up visit.
An extra panel above the drain slits allows for stretch and comfort as a woman’s body changes in preparation for reconstructive surgery. During that process, expanders are put in to the chest muscles to expand them in preparation for the final phase of the reconstructive process.
“Your body is literally changing every other week because you’re constantly growing or expanding that muscle,” Farrell says. “That’s another reason why we put this easy zip function on the front because you’re so sore, your range of motion is very limited.”
Farrell created this entire business while mothering an infant and continuing her career as a general manager of an Indianapolis radio station.
Blush Life Apparel will begin accepting its first orders at the end of October 2013. A portion of every sale will go back to fund cancer research through the American Cancer Society. All of the undergarments will be made in the USA and shipped from Carmel, Indiana.
Farrell will be joined by many other women who have fought breast cancer and won. She is one of 50 season ticket holders who will be on the field, helping to form the run-out tunnel during player introductions for Sunday’s game.
Watch a video of this story here.
