ANKENY HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING
TRY-OUT INFORMATION 2017-2018
Tryout Clinic Dates:
March 27th, 29th and 31st
All from 6-8pm in the AHS Auxiliary Gym
(open House Style. Come when you can, stay as
long as you want)
Tryouts:
Saturday April 1st from 9am-?? AHS Gyms
Post tryout Parent/Cheerleader Mandatory Meeting
Monday April 3rd 6pm-?
We would like to thank you for your interest in Ankeny Cheerleading. Attached, you will find the
paperwork that you will need to have completed and turned in the first day you attend clinics. If you do
not have your paperwork completed and on file with us, you will not be permitted to participate. Please
carefully review all of the information included in this packet and feel free to contact us if you have any
questions. Please bring all completed forms to the first day of clinics you attend. DO NOT TURN THEM
INTO THE OFFICE.
Tryouts are CLOSED to the public; parents are allowed in the big gym the day of tryouts. However,
once the applicant enters the first stage of tryouts you will not be permitted to follow. There are not
exceptions to this. Tryouts will be held Saturday, April 1st from 9:00 AM until everyone has completed
their try out. You must wear: PLAIN white t-shirt, black/dark shorts, gym/cheer shoes and a
bow/ribbon. Please have your hair pulled back off of your face and no jewelry. Squad lists will be
posted at the school first on the doors you will be leaving through that day. Then we will post them on
our School Fusion Page by Sunday morning. The roster will also be posted by the Activities Office at the
High School and outside of the main office at Southview on Monday the 6th.
High School Cheerleading is a VERY demanding and time-consuming sport that begins in June and
does not finish until March. We take great pride in coaching our athletes to their absolute highest
potential. While building personal skills in tumbling and cheerleading are important, we are most
proud of the character, personal achievement, teamwork, commitment, and resiliency that our athletes
gain while being a part of our program. Each student needs to seriously consider the amount of time,
hard work and dedication involved with cheering for Ankeny High School before deciding to try out for
a team. Please read this packet and discuss the information with each other before signing the
application and acceptance documents. Your signature indicates that you and your daughter/son
understand that cheerleading requires time, energy, dedication, commitment, dependability, costs and
a willingness to support our cheer program.
Being a part of a squad means that there are people counting on you. You will be expected to keep your
grades up and maintain your cheering eligibility. Many of Hawk cheerleaders combine good time
management skills and study habits to maintain a 3.25 GPA, making them eligible for the CIML AllAcademic Award. As coaches, we will accept nothing less than your best in both academics and
cheerleading.
Ankeny Hawk Cheerleaders are highly visible in the community. You will be expected to be a model
representative of Ankeny High School, the cheerleading program, at home and at other schools. Always
remember, little girls and boys are looking up to you and want to be just like YOU!
We look forward to seeing you at clinics and tryouts.
Cheerfully, Ankeny Hawk Cheerleading Coaching Staff
I. Coaching Staff:
Coach Katie Bales: Head Coach
Coach Britne Rupiper: Assistant Varsity
Coach Allie Ring: Assistant JV
Coach Kelly Ugolini: Assistant Freshman
II. Try-Out Procedures and Schedule:
A. Appearance: All-American look, Iowa Cheer Coaches Association Rules
Hair: MUST be fully pulled back (no bangs/whispies - including hair by ears)
Jewelry: None
Nails: well maintained, cut short (not visible above fingertip), no polish or acrylics
Shoes: cheer shoes or athletic shoes
Clinics: T-shirt and shorts (athletic style clothing)
Try-outs: hair bow/ribbon, plain white t-shirt, black shorts and Athletic Shoes
Any violations to the rules will result in negative points. During the season if you
do not abide by our dress code it will result in nonparticipation
B. Clinics
- March 27th, 29th and 31st from 6pm-8pm in the AHS Gym
- Material:
Stations- learn/review tryout dance, learn/review jumps, learn/review
Cheer, practice current tumbling skills (no spots), cheer motions and
game day skills, and possible stunting practice for varsity candidates.
- Attendance:
‘Open house’ style- Come when you can, stay for as long as you need.
Attire: Please wear any athletic clothing and shoes. No spandex shorts or
midriff shirts will be allowed. Keep the 3 B’s covered!
C. Try-outs
Date: April 1st – In the AHS gyms – 9am - ?
-Check in times will be
Those trying out for freshman team only 8:30AM
Those trying out for JV 10:30AM
Those trying out for Varsity 11:00AM
- OPEN Review Time: Free Time to review in the big gym while waiting to try-out
- Judging will begin around 9am.
- Judged on: Tryout dance, Cheer, Chant (you will learn that day), jumps,
tumbling (optional), enthusiasm, poise, confidence, appearance, and leadership
qualities. If you require an early tryout time please talk to a Coach at CLINICS
not the day of tryouts.
- Video tryouts will be available prior to this date if you are unable to attend the
day of tryouts. You must schedule a time with Coach Bales during asap.
- You will bring all items with you to the tryout area. After you have concluded
your tryout you will leave through the NORTHWEST doors and exit the building.
You will not be admitted back into the gyms.
Judging
- Points:
Score sheets will be used by the AHS Head Coach, Varsity Assistant, JV
Coach, Freshman Coach, and guest judges.
Scoring: We will not be using any score sheets or videos from
previous years. If you do not perform it at this tryout you will not get
scored on it.
- Results:
The coaches will tabulate all cumulative ballot results. Results will be
posted later Saturday afternoon on the NorthWest doors and Sunday
morning to the Cheerleading Fusion Page, Twitter Account and in the
schools.
- Calls:
Please be aware Coaches may be making some phone calls prior to posting
the results. If we have questions about your application or squad choices
we will be contacting you for clarification. Keep a phone close just in case!
If you do not answer the coaches will make the decision for you.
D. MANDATORY Post Try-out cheerleader and parent meeting:
1. April 3rd – AHS Cafeteria – 6pm-8pm
This is a MANDATORY meeting for all those who made a squad. You will receive a lot
of information about fundraisers, uniforms, camp and lots more! This is the Uniform
fitting as well. If you are not there for the fitting there is no way to know your size.
E. Declining a position- In order to decline a position you must contact Coach Katie Bales prior
to the meeting on Monday. Please note that if you decline a position you will not be offered a
new one. Any time after the start of the meeting on Monday, if you decline the position after
that time you will no longer be able to tryout the following year.
F. Contacting Coaches after Tryouts- We will not be answering emails, phone calls or texts
regarding tryouts and or squad placement until 2 weeks after our tryout date.
1. Please know that judging cheerleading tryouts is extremely difficult. We really
appreciate everyone who makes an effort to come to Clinics and Tryouts. If you
would like to review your scores please make an appointment with the Coaches no
sooner than two weeks after tryouts. We will be happy to go over any information
with you about YOUR tryout and YOUR scores. Scores and information regarding
other Candidates will not be discussed.
III. Forms Necessary for Try-outs:
Forms are due the first day you attend the cheer clinics in order to practice. If these are not turned in
you are not eligible to participate. You will not be allowed into the gym without all of your paperwork.
A. Cheerleader Application – Done Online
B. Concussion Form – Print from AHS Cheer Website – signed
C. Cheerleading Rules Acceptance Form – signed (found on the back page of the Cheerleading
Handbook) Print a copy from our Cheer Website.
All this information will be posted on our School website. This will also be where we will
post the squad list after tryouts.
IV. Ankeny Seasonal Squads and Competitive Cheerleading
Season Squads
A. Fall Squads
a. Varsity will have a minimum of 16 members
b. JV and Freshman squads will have a minimum of 8 members
B. Winter
a. All winter squads will have a minimum of 6 members
State Maroon Squad (Music), State Gold Squad (Cheer), State Stunt:
We will only have Competitive Cheer squad if there are enough interested.
A. All Cheerleaders will have the opportunity to be placed on a Competitive Squad.
B. Coaches will determine cheerleader placement during try-outs and squads will be
announced along with season and level squads.
C. State Stunt will be determined during camp and the fall season
1. Up to two different squads of 5 cheerleaders.
D. Choreography:
1. Maroon Squad:
i. Professional hired to choreograph music routine in June
ii. AHS Coaches will choreograph cheer
iii. Mandatory Choreography: June (Final dates TBA soon)
iv. Tentative schedule Wednesdays during the summer from 5-6pm to practice
2. Gold Squad:
v. AHS Coaches will choreograph cheer
vi. Professional hired to assist with stunts
vii. Mandatory Stunt Practice: July (Final dates TBA soon)
viii. Tentative schedule Wednesday during the summer from 5-6 to practice
E. Competitions:
1. All Day Events
2. Possible October Competition
3. Triton Challenge also normally held in October
4. State Competition held the first weekend in November
V. Proposed Purchases
If item has an * next to it - items will be the same as last year, returning cheerleaders may
purchase a new version, or keep what you purchased last year. This will be discussed further
at the post try-out parent meeting on April 3rd.
All costs and items are subject to change or be added with or without notice
Prices listed are estimates- finalized numbers TBA
A. Mandatory Gear:
Game Day Bow: $16
*Poms: $TBD - May be changing
Shoes: $80 or $85 – May purchase your own. Must be all leather if you do.
*Practice Clothing: $165 (3 complete outfits with bow) Less if you have last year items.
*Warm-up Jacket: $150
*Warm-up Pants: $60
*Sleeves for under uniform: $60
Cheer Camp: $380
Camp Bus: $60
There will be a number of optional items available this year as well. More info to come.
Varsity and JV Cheerleaders will have a 25$ fee to go towards Boosters
**If you are purchasing your own shoes they MUST BE ALL LEATHER. You will not be
permitted to wear indoor competition shoes during ANY cheer events including practices
starting the fall 2017 season. If you do not have the correct shoes you will not cheer.
Most of these items will be on a website this year. This gives families the option to pay with a
credit card that we have not been able to do in the past.
Optional items are available for purchase from this site as well.
You are not allowed to make any additions to any of the items – Rhinestones,
glitter and other items are ILLEGAL in cheerleading. You are not to add any of
those to any pieces of you uniform, warm-ups or practice clothes.
B. Cheer Summer Camp:
a. Camp is an expected attendance unless cleared by the coach. The material learned at
camp and the stunting will be used at the games during the year. The safety lessons
at camp are required to be gone over each year. If you are not able to attend Camp
you must sign up for a date for your 3 hour safety lesson with Coach Bales before the
start of your season. Cost for the safety lesson material is $60. If you do not pass this
safety lesson you will not be cleared to stunt until you are able to retake the course
and pass.
1. Camp Cost: $380
a. Camp dates July 29th –August 1st at the DoubleTree in Cedar Rapids We
will leave around 9AM Saturday to head to camp and return after camp
has concluded on the 1st.
2. Bus: $60 – May decrease depending on fundraising and sponsorship totals.
VI. Expectations of an Ankeny Hawk Cheerleader:
Details of expectations will be reviewed in greater detail at post try-out meeting April 3rd.
A. Program Book Overview (reference AHS Cheer School Fusion page)
B. Responsibilities immediately following joining the program
1. Sponsorships:
* These will directly impact camp fees above (Bus fee, equipment fees, supplies,
as well as pay for uniform pieces)
ALL LEVELS – Everyone is to get $150 worth of sponsors. Those who reach this
amount will be in our Sponsorship Photo for the poster.
2.
Fundraisers:
- Sell Cookie Dough for your Personal Cheer Bill. – 40% of your sales will go to
your AHS cheer account bill
- Work Summer Jr. Cheer Camp or Fall/Winter Cheer Clinic
- Work minimum - 1 of 2 Carwash Dates TBD – Sign-up sheets will be provided
- Face Painting at Games
- Additional fundraisers may be added based on sponsorship total
3. Community/Squad service events:
- Participate in at least 5 hours of service (Community/Squad) in order to ‘letter’
or end season in ‘good standing’.
- The cheerleading program will provide multiple opportunities to volunteer.
VII. Summer Schedule:
A complete schedule will be presented at post try-out meeting Monday April 3rd.
A. Tumbling
1. If you are interested in taking a tumbling class this summer - talk to Coach Bales.
B. Summerfest Practice & Parade
1. Must attend practice to participate in parade
2. Expected to attend and represent Hawk Cheerleading in Summerfest Parade
3. Practice: Wednesday prior to summerfest 6-8 am at AHS (parking lot)
4. Parade: Saturday of Parade- Roughly 8:00-11:00am. Northview Parking lot.
C. Summer Cheer Camp – We will have practice before these dates to determine stunt groups
for camp.
1. Expected to attend and represent Ankeny Cheerleading
2. We will have 2-3 practices leading up to camp to go over cheers and to figure out
stunt groups for camp.
3. We will use the material taught at camp during the season.
D. Cheers and Chants
1. Expected to be informally practicing all summer long.
2. Cheers and Chants are available on the AHS Cheer YouTube page (words and videos)
i. A link may be found on the Cheer Fusion page.
ii. You are expected to have an understanding of these cheers before we go to
camp.
iii. There may be a DVD available for the different seasons that you are able to
purchase for 1$.
VIII. Expected Fall Schedule:
A. Pre-season events:
Gatorade Game: 8/2_?
(Varsity) Football BBQ: Early August
B. School Practice:
ALL LEVELS:
Monday 4-6
Wednesday 4-6
C. Games:
(Reference the CIML online for a more accurate schedule)
Fall Freshman and JV: Thursday and Fridays
Fall Varsity: Friday
You MUST wear your uniform to school on game days.
D. Homecoming: September 29th
All levels: Sunday of homecoming week September 24th Decorating Schools
Mandatory for ALL Fall Cheerleaders – those who do not help will not
be in the Homecoming assembly.
Winter Cheerleaders encouraged to help.
Parents are encouraged to help!
Varsity: Door Sign Painting
VIII. Expected Winter Schedule:
A. Practice:
Practice will begin middle of November (Date TBD) and be held at AHS in the
commons/cafeteria for all levels.
ALL SPORTS ALL LEVELS:
Monday 4-6
Wednesdays 4-6
B. Games/Meets
(Reference the CIML online for a more accurate schedule)
1.) Basketball:
- All Levels: Tuesday and Fridays (occasional Saturday)
- All Varsity B-Ball, JV Winter, and Freshman Winter will cheer Basketball
Games.
- Varsity: All home and away games
- JV and Freshman: All home games (including some Monday games)
2.) Wrestling:
- JV Winter and Varsity: Thursdays Meets, Saturday Tournaments (all day)
- All Varsity Wrestling and JV Winter will cheer Wrestling Meets
- Varsity: All home and away meets
- JV: All home JV meets
Follow us on twitter @AHS_HawkCheer
Facebook AHS Hawk Cheerleading
Instagram @AHS_HawkCheer
If you have any questions Regarding Clinics or Tryouts please contact the Head Coach
Katie Bales
[email protected]
ANKENY
CHEER
Try-Out
Rubric
Excellent
4-5
Tumbling
Not Required
You will receive 1 point
for each of the following:
Above
Average
3-4
Average
2-3
Unable to scoreFair
0-2
Advanced jumps
performed with level
height, average
technique* and variety
(two different types of
jumps)
Advanced jumps (front/side
hurdler, toe touch, pike,
double nine) performed with
below level
height/technique*
Basic jumps (tuck, spread
eagle, double hook) or
Good Form
Solid Landing
Tight Throughout Skill
Good Height
Fast Paced
Jumps
Technique
includes: approach,
landing, toe point,
and motion
execution in the
jump
Dance
Sharp Motions
Motion Placement
Knowledge
Facials
Timing/Technique
Confidence
Involving spirit
Cheer and Chant
Sharp Motions
Motion Placement
Knowledge
Facials
Timing/Technique
Confidence
Involving spirit
Overall
Impression
Two or more advanced
jumps performed with
above level, above
average technique*
Must perform a jump
sequence i.e. two
consecutive jumps.
poor execution/technique* of
advanced jumps
Minimal variety (two
different types of jumps).
Poor execution of combo
jumps may be scored in this
range
Multiple visual effects*,
exceptional level of
execution, fast pace,
confidently mastered
material.
Multiple visual effects*,
above average level of
execution, fast pace,
mastered material
Basic visual effects*,
average level of execution,
average pace, basic
knowledge of material
Little to no visual effects*,
below average level of
execution, slow pace, poor
knowledge of material
* Visual effects Technique includes:
sharp motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork
* Visual effects - Technique
includes: sharp motions, on
count/precise movements
and footwork
* Visual effects - Technique
includes: sharp motions, on
count/precise movements and
footwork
Confidently masters
material. Strong voice,
sharp motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork.
Can effectively involve
spirit movements (jumps
and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal
and involvement with
motions
Masters material.
Projected voice, sharp
motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork. Attempts to
involve spirit
movements (jumps
and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal
and involvement with
motions
Basic knowledge of
material. Weak voice, not
sharp motions or off
count/sloppy movements
and footwork. Attempts to
involve spirit movements
(jumps and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal
and involvement with
motions
Poor knowledge of material.
Weak voice, not sharp motions
or off count/sloppy movements
and footwork. No attempt to
involve spirit movements
(jumps and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal and
involvement with motions
Demonstrates
showmanship (crowd
appeal) and strong
voices. Confident in
their skills. Have natural,
excited faces and
smiles. Show their
personality and be
enthusiastic. Has an
“All-American” look
Demonstrates
showmanship (crowd
appeal) and projected
voices. Have natural,
excited faces and
smiles. Show their
personality and be
enthusiastic
Lack of showmanship
(crowd appeal) and has
weak voice. Timid facials
and limited expression
Lack of showmanship (crowd
appeal) and has weak voice.
Limited to no facials or
expression
* Visual effects Technique includes:
sharp motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork