The Colby club cheer team has rapidly built a spirited presence on Mayflower Hill. Re-established in the fall of 2024, the student-led club sport was created to provide students with the opportunity to learn cheer disciplines such as stunting, spreading school spirit, and building an inclusive athletic community at the College.
This fall, the squad has already cheered in the stands for the Homecoming football game on Sept. 26 and the women’s volleyball match against the University of Southern Maine on Sept. 29. Performing cheers like “Stomp Your Feet, Our Mules Can’t Be Beat,” “Colby Get Tough,” and many more, the team is now preparing for the upcoming home football game against Amherst College on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. Next season, the team plans on cheering at basketball games as well. Although the squad aims to expand into men’s and women’s hockey, members explained that performing at the rink isn’t feasible until they acquire cold-weather warmups.
Practicing twice a week for two hours at a time, squad members refine motion drills, choreograph dance routines, and practice stunting on mats. Operating without a formal head coach, the student-led organization relies on its captains and executive board to direct practices, teach techniques, and manage team logistics.
Cianney Saunders `29, a co-captain and choreographer with a background in dance, leads the dances and cheers. Saunders explained that while managing the team without a coach certainly presents challenges, it has ultimately strengthened team bonds. “It’s challenging, but it’s pushed us to be more independent and hold each other accountable,” Saunders said. “We figure out routines together, which has made us closer.”
For team members, student leadership has created a supportive atmosphere for both experienced cheerleaders and newcomers. Nyree Hidalgo `29, a subcommittee member who joined with previous experience in gymnastics and ballet, described the team environment as “fun, chaotic,
and loving,” and added, “Honestly, the captains do a great job as coaches and leading the team.”
Equipped with official uniforms including shells, skirts, poms, and bows, the squad has expanded its impact far beyond athletic sidelines. The team has showcased its skills at Admitted Students Day and the Colby Dancers shows. Last spring, the group also hosted a campus-wide Powderpuff flag football tournament that drew participation from over 60 club athletes. Carlos Salcido Parra `28, a co-captain now in his third year with the organization, noted how much the club has grown.
“By the end of my freshman year, I really enjoyed and loved what we made Colby cheer into,” Parra said. “It’s like a family, and we all really care about each other. And I know we still have so much to prove and create for this club to be even bigger and better.”
A central goal for the program is securing full sideline access during outdoor football games. Currently restricted in their performance location, team members explain that sideline access would allow them to perform full stomp-and-shake routines, execute stunts safely, and face the student section directly.
Layla Chai `28, co-president and former co-captain who brought high school stunting experience to the squad, emphasized how sideline access would allow the squad to further elevate their skills. “It would let us showcase our hard work and help us improve our stunting skills because we’d get to practice them more consistently,” Chai said.
Looking ahead, leadership hopes to expand the roster, perform at a football halftime show, and eventually represent the College at regional cheer competitions. “We are a wonderful team and we want to prove to ourselves that we are stronger together,” Salcido Parra said. “Please support your cheerleaders!”
~ Mandy Zhang `30
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