Margo Ellis, Opinion Editor–

Armed with sharp choreography and powerful stunts, Denison University’s Cheer Team has grown immensely in size and strength since the spring of 2024. 

“I started here in April of last year, and just saw some things that I wanted to be different,” said Coach Azia Mason-McGrady.

When she started, there were only seven cheerleaders. The team now has 18 members: 16 during the football season and two more added during the basketball season. 

Focusing on rebranding and recruitment has allowed the program to expand on a different level as well. The team is exploring a new dynamic: competition, which Mason-McGrady said could result in cheer-which is currently a club sport at Denison-becoming a varsity-level sport.

“There’s a lot that has to be learned and taught, but when you add a competitive Nexus, the varsity sport essentially is based on competing against other colleges and universities,” Mason-McGrady said.

With the university’s approval, select cheerleaders who tried out for a spot on a smaller competitive team will travel to Orlando in April 2026 for The College Classic, a national cheer and dance competition. 

“That’s huge for us in our program,” said Mason-McGrady. “Denison cheer has never competed before, so it was something that I’ve been super excited about… but also, I wanted to make sure that we’re setting a precedent. It’s a whole other skill set, another level, and having to focus in and really work hard is going to take additional days of practice. So, the commitment level increases, but it’s also more intensive.”

Stephanie Field, ‘27, has been on the team since her freshman year. Originally from Weston, Connecticut, Field said she joined Denison’s cheer team to continue the sport she loved in high school. Additionally, Field is a member of the new competitive team. 

“I did competitive cheer in high school, as well,” Field said. “So I’m excited to get started with [the competition team].”

Sophie Calendo, ‘29, from Columbus, also cheered for four years in high school and joined the team as a freshman this year. She tried out for the competitive team and will be among the cheerleaders heading to Orlando in April. 

“I’ve never done competitive cheer, so this is kind of all new to me, but I’m very excited for more stunting and more tumbling,” Calendo said.

With this increase in stunting, Mason-McGrady said she’s being very intentional about safety for the cheerleaders. 

“I’m all about safety, and if it’s not done safely, it won’t get done,” she said. “Really honing in on making sure that everyone knows what they’re doing, slowing things down for that progression. I like to say: ‘Progression before perfection.”

As the team grows, Mason-McGrady has also tried to spread more awareness about the importance and intensity of the team’s work. 

According to her, the team consistently spends time in the gym conditioning and lifting, taking the time to learn the technique behind each movement and stunt. 

“We work hard, and I think that a lot of people don’t see that… It’s not easy by any means. It takes effort,” Mason-McGrady said.

Multiple cheerleaders said that the effort is worth it for the camaraderie and companionship they get from the team. 

“We can be our authentic selves,” said Desiree Smith, ‘26. “I feel like that’s my favorite thing.” Smith, from Cleveland, cheered in high school and has loved seeing the team grow over the past year and a half. 

Marin Tanner, ‘28, from Richmond, Indiana, was on a dance team in high school and tried out for the cheer team before her first semester at Denison.

When asked what stands out to her the most about the team, Tanner said, “I’m sure a lot of people will tell you the people. I would totally say that, but if I were to come up with something a little different, I love that it makes me feel like I’m really involved in Denison… You go to a lot of sporting events and cheer on our teams, and also learn new skills and be pushed to do new things.”  

One day, Mason-McGrady said that the cheerleaders were sharing the indoor track space in the Mitchell Recreation Center with the indoor track and tennis teams. While they were conditioning, the cheerleaders were met with encouragement from both teams, something Mason-McGrady was excited to see.

“Some of the tennis players and track members were looking over there, like, ‘Yeah, you guys are doing great,’ cheering us on. And it was genuine, you know…It was awesome,” Mason-McGrady said.

With all of these areas of growth and movement for the program, Mason-McGrady said she’s looking forward to how cheer at Denison can become even stronger. Her hope, ultimately, is that the team will be upgraded from club to varsity status with the addition of the competition team, and due to support from other sports.