By Jim Krajewski
Reno Gazette-Journal
Reno has more than one link to the San Francisco 49ers.
In addition to former Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick now starting for the 49ers, Reno’s Antonia Nunez is a four-year member of the Gold Rush, the 49ers cheerleading outfit.
Nunez, 27, has lived in Reno for the past three years. She was born in the Bay Area, where she was on the dance team in high school, and is a graduate of Chico State. She got involved with choreography at Chico.
She is an account executive for Reno’s Fox affiliate, KRXI Channel 11.
Nunez was selected to represent the 49ers at this year’s Pro Bowl in Hawaii on Jan. 27. Only one cheerleader from each team is chosen to go to the Pro Bowl.
She recently answered a few questions for the Reno Gazette-Journal.
RGJ: How did you become a 49ers cheerleader?
AN: Anyone can try out, as long as you’re 18. You don’t have to have any experience to try out. You could have more of a background in gymnastics or cheerleading or ballroom dance. One of the girls on the team is from Russia, and she was a ballroom dancer. It’s an opportunity for anyone as long as you’re passionate about performing and about football. I’ve always loved to perform, since I was 4.
RGJ: How did you end up in Reno?
AN: It’s kind of a love story. My now-husband works for Granite Construction. We met in Chico, and he got a job here at the Reno branch. I’ve made a home for myself here. I love it. Some people don’t understand why I love living in Reno. A lot of people in the Bay Area like being an hour away from the city and three hours away from Tahoe. But I am 100 percent happier being only one hour away from the lake and the mountains. I much prefer the opposite. I love the outdoors.
RGJ: How much time is involved in being a 49ers cheerleader?
AN: We practice every Saturday, and game days we’re there all day. I think the 49ers are a special organization; I know a lot of other teams practice three or four times a week. We’re unusual in that we only practice once a week because it allows people to live outside of town and to have full-time jobs.
RGJ: So is cheerleading a hobby for most?
AN: I wouldn’t ever call it a part-time job. It’s a part-time hobby with a full-time commitment. Even though we only practice once a week, I practice on my own up here, at the gym when no one is watching, or at my house.
RGJ: So the better the team does, the more work you have to do?
AN: One can only hope. I love the 49ers. I loved football since I was a kid. I have the best seats in the house.
RGJ: Are the playoffs any different?
AN: The energy of the crowd is totally different. It’s crazy exciting. It’s almost electric during the playoffs. The energy is totally palpable. People are not just cheering on third-and-two for the defense, they’re cheering on first downs, all game. This year it’s been that way the whole way because of how successful the team was last year.
RGJ: What’s a typical game day like?
AN: We’re there six hours prior to the game. We have a full-blown practice and then we do appearances after that. We practice for three hours, then we put our uniforms on and go throughout the stadium and visit the tailgate areas and make appearances. Then it’s game time and it’s just a total whirlwind, the most exciting thing. For somebody who loves football and loves to perform, it doesn’t get any better than that.
RGJ: Does any one thing stand out over your four seasons?
AN: The Steeler game last year when the lights went out, that was pretty different. It was the Monday night game (Dec. 19). Something blew up. It went out right before our pre-game performance, and I remember thinking, ‘Maybe this is a surprise.’ There’s going to be fireworks going off. I thought it was part of game day. It was crazy.
RGJ: Are you exhausted at the end of the day?AN: There’s so much adrenaline, it doesn’t hit you until you get home. The whole car ride home, you’re just super excited, especially when you won. When you get homen you feel it, especially dancing in heels, something that took a lot of getting used to.
RGJ: Do you interact with the players?AN: It’s definitely a separate organization. There’s no interacting with the players. I feel like I’m a fan, and they’re not a colleague of mine. They work for the 49ers, and I work for the 49ers production company. I’m awestruck when I see players because I think of them as heroes too, because I’m a fan.
From Saturday – AJ at Philadelphia Soulmate Auditions
Thanks to Pro Bowl Dan for what is probably the last photos from an NFL game that we’ll get to post this season. Dan was in chilly Cincinnati for the Ben-Gals regular season finale.
Well, maybe they are not technically the NEWEST Dance Team (Before the move to Brooklyn, they were the Nets Dancers and back before that the “Jersey Girls”), but they’ve got the newest name, stadium and practice court.
Brooklynettes on the practice court. About 30 minutes before tip off fans on the main concourse can catch a glimpse of the team doing a last minute run through.
The Brooklynettes have also garnered a lot of press for their uniforms and edgy new look.
But are they the NBA’s edgiest?
From Saturday – Gabby at Philadelphia Soulmate Auditions
Thanks to Pro Bowl Dan for these photos of the Ravens Cheerleaders out and about in Baltimore on Friday getting fans ready for the playoff game.
[Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders]
The 2013 AFL San Antonio Talons Sky Dancers were chosen at the Music Hall at Sam’s Burger joint in San Antonio, Texas Tuesday evening December 18, 2012. Prep classes started Nov. 28th for the Sky Dancers auditions then they had two more prep classes Dec. 8th and Dec. 5th before the preliminaries and semi-final auditions that were held Saturday Dec, 8th in the basketball court at the Fiesta Trails location of their new fitness & practice facility sponsor Gold’s Gym at 8am.
Photo: morethanphoto.com by Alfredo Vazquez
The first cut was done in the morning after all participants learned a combination and did an across the floor routine and numbers were posted for the semi-finalist to continue and learn a 1 minute routine and perform for the judges that afternoon.
Photo: morethanphoto.com by Alfredo Vazquez
Judges included former squad members of the San Antonio Roses, WNBA Star squad, NBA San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers, NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, NBA Dallas Maverick Dancers, San Antonio Iguana dancers, AA Baseball San Antonio Missions Bells and the AHL San Antonio Rampage Ice Girl Dancers. Judges also included Talons administration Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer Keith Recine and Game Operations/Community relations/ Group Sales Coordinator JJ De La Rosa. Choreographer former NBA San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer Melissa Martinez taught the audition routines and helped judge and former NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader & NBA Spurs Dancer Sky Dancer director Cynthia Trinidad was on hand to help judge and emcee the auditions. The judges used lap tops and scored individuals on audition software that made the judging and tabulations quick and easy. Finalist numbers were posted and finalist would continue on where they would be joining the returning veterans that were seated into the finals at three rehearsals before the finals Tuesday Dec. 18th. Finalists scheduled and had personal interviews with Talons administration staff and the Sky Dancer director prior to the Final Auditions.
Photo: morethanphoto.com by Alfredo Vazquez
At the finals all the ladies wore black cocktail dresses for the opening number and at the finale, they performed the semi-final routine in pro-cheer/dance audition sports bra and hot pant attire of their choice in groups of two on stage, and then each individual performed a 1 minute dance solo routine from a list of song choices given to them and wore a costume of their choice.
Photo: morethanphoto.com by Alfredo Vazquez
Sixteen were chosen out of 24 finalists for the new squad and winners were given a goody bag and a log stem red rose and some members were on the local morning TV show Daytime @ 9 KABB FOX 29 the next morning. The first home preseason game for the Talons is March 6th 2013 and the first home game is March 23rd 2013.
2013 Sky Dancers are: Sarah, Rebecca, Alondra, Jaclyn, Niqwa, Emily, Angela, Rochelle, Jasmin, Shauntelle, Krystal, Gabriela, Tiffany, Diana, Monica, and Crystal. Congrats!
[More Sky Dancers Final Auditions Photos]
From Friday Night – Philadelphia Wings Angel Elisa
Congratulations to Saintsation Ashley. Ashley has a Bachelors in Business Management from Southeastern Louisiana University.
