... on Wrestling and Cheerleaders
Wrestlers need "cheers," too!
Because the mat season runs parallel to basketball, many varsity cheerleading squads are hard pressed to attend dual meets and tournaments. Others, unfortunately, don't know what to say when they do go. Well, listen carefully to the following solution to this problem.
Valley schools need to have more than one cheerleading unit. Let me assure you, it can be done! Why only last month our Wheeling Park team visited Rochester, New York, where they have "rah-rah" squads for every sport (football, soccer, hockey, baseball, etc.). And this approach is educationally sound in that more teenagers become involved with extracurricular activities. Further, these girls encourage the rest of the student body to show up for their particular event. Hence, they would be helping to replenish the ever-dwndling athletic coffers.
Finally, in contrast to the beliefs of many local sports enthusiasts, wrestling chants are for real! In fact, they had mat cheers when I wrestled, and that was a long, long time ago.
So, if you are serious about initiating such a group for your grapplers, just drop a line to Mrs. Peggy Welker, in care of the N-R Sports Department, 1500 Main Street, Wheeling, VW 26003. Peggy would be happy to assist anyone interested in learning wrestling "calls."
Remember, matmen work very, very hard. They deserve more than a-- "How did you do last night?" Certainly, hearing words of encouragement from the stands and cheerleaders would help the morale of every wrestler.
Updated June 22, 1997