Cheerleaders are more than accessories to your favorite sports games. They are leaders and students, flyers and bases that work towards their own goals in competitive Stunt. These athletes train together to execute precise and detailed routines, and competitions consist of rounds between two schools. Wakefield senior and captain of the stunt team, Jillian Mannon, is familiar with this preparation.

“Both of the schools will go against each other and do the same routine. There is a [number] of coaches that watch each side,” Mannon said. “And let’s say Wakefield did better than Rolesville; then Wakefield would get that point.”

Stunts are much more than just amazing tricks and flips, they are filled with many risks that require strength and reflexes to overcome. Mia Pavlic is also a senior at Wakefield and one of the captains for the Girl’s Stunt team. She explains the measures the team must undertake to keep safe while practicing.

“There [are] spotters, so if you’re not in a routine, you’re on the mat surrounding the actual stunt,” Pavlic said. “You’re around the whole team to make sure no one gets hurt and then if someone falls, someone’s going to catch them.”

To make sure the Girl’s Stunt team is always in its top shape when performing, the girls must go through extensive training and routines to make sure they not only follow through with their performances, but also do not get hurt in the process. Brielle Bigmall, a freshman at Wakefield, describes what the team does to prepare for competitions.

“Sometimes we do pushups at practice [to] make sure we have arm strength to lift people up and keep them in the air,” Bigmall said.

What’s more, stunt attracts a diverse group of skills and interests that other sports do not. Whether students like cheer or tricks, they will find fulfillment in this sport.

“I’m not really a big fan of cheerleading,” Pavlic said. “I like to tumble and do the actual tricks, so stunt is better for me rather than cheer.”

Stunt is much more than pom-poms and sparkling faces. Not one athlete is the same as the next, and the next generation of stunters is a bright one. Ultimately, anyone can join and grow their skillset.

“I would say, do it,” Mannon said. “It’s a lot of fun and a lot of people do not know what stunt is.”