'We're More Than Just the Poms Poms' Looking at the 2024-25 Belmont Cheer Team

Photo Taken by Greer Patten

Belmont University’s cheer team implemented a new recruitment process this season and welcomed nine new members to their team of 21 to replace the senior cheerleaders who graduated last spring.  

In previous years, the cheer team would hold tryouts over one weekend.  

But in head coach Jessica Woody’s second season, she said the new recruitment process has allowed her to get to know the newcomers better before the season starts. 

"It's easier for me to jump in because I already felt like I knew everybody,” said Woody. “The recruitment process definitely helped with a huge influx of first years.” 

The team has also reintroduced the aspect of having a co-ed cheer team at the university.  

“I feel like my co-ed partners have really excelled. They've done an amazing job kind of having go from square one and build up,” Woody said. “I'm super excited for the progress that they've had this year.”  

The flood of new members has brought changes this season, such as spending more time teaching the newcomers the dances and routines, but Woody keeps a positive outlook.  

The goal for this year is to get the team ready to compete at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in 2026, which is held annually in Orlando, Florida.  

In addition to training for game days and working towards the UCA College Nationals, Woody said she focuses her efforts on and off the floor to prepare them for life after college.  

“My goal is for them to learn through cheer some life goals, whether that is time management or how to react or respond to a boss when they need to miss something or they made a mistake,” Woody said.  

Co-captain Jillian Harrell said that competitions are where the cheerleaders get to showcase their skills and the hard work they put in every day.   

“At UCA, it's like, ‘let us show you what we got. Let us show you what we work towards this whole season,’” she said.  

Woody said the division they compete in at the UCA Nationals is very similar to the routines they perform at games.  

“We do small co-ed division one gameday, and we're going to do it every other year,” said Woody. “We choose [UCA] just because it kind of fits our style a little more. They're a little more gameday heavy, sharp motions, clean stunts, which is what we strive for. It's not necessarily the super high level, crazy gymnastic stuff. It's a little more basic game-day skills. That's what we're good at.” 

But on top of getting ready for competition, Harrell says the first part of the season was dedicated to getting the freshman on track for game days.  

“The majority of the beginning of the season was spent teaching cheers, band dances, stuff that we didn't really have to do last year. We're having to manage our time a little differently in that aspect, just getting everybody on the same page,” says Harrell. “It’s been more of an adjustment than a challenge.” 

But the adjustments haven’t stopped the team from bringing the energy on game day.  

“We just really push for that, like, super energetic game day feel. And that's not something that you get everywhere. A lot of places focus on competing, and then sometimes they just don't know how to give that game day vibe,” said Woody.  

Harrell said fans notice their efforts on game days and praise the team for their performances. 

“I feel like we just look so clean all of the time. That's something people notice. Something we get a lot of compliments on is how clean we look,” Harrell said.  

While talking about her team, she beams at them from the bleachers.  

“Everybody is always so willing to do anything, try anything new, and everybody keeps a positive attitude while doing it, so it's just a great environment to be in,” Harrell said.  

Practices are extensive and the season lasts nearly year-round with only a short break in the spring.  

“We have either stunt, lift or practice every day. We are putting in the work. People don't necessarily always get to see that,” Harrell said.  

With all the work that goes into cheer, Harrell said she hopes to break the stigma around the sport.  

“We're more than just the pom poms.” 

-

This article was written by Haley Ramsey