While we all know about the Golden Girls and the FSU cheerleading team, not as many people have heard about the Garnet Girls. The Garnet Girls are the FSU club cheerleading team. They represent FSU in many different competitions and compete against teams like UF. I was able to catch up with one of their cheerleaders, Alexa Riddell.
Her Campus (HC): What is FSU club cheerleading?
Alexa Riddell (AR): FSU club cheerleading is a student-run organization that is part of FSU sports clubs. Garnet Girls is an all-girl competitive club cheer team, which means that we do not cheer at any games, and are strictly a competitive club team.
HC: How often do you practice?
AR: We practice twice a week during the fall semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays and three times a week in the spring on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
HC: What competitions do you partake in?
AR: We compete at National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals in Daytona Beach every April. We also perform at other colleges’ home competitions like the UF club team’s annual Gator Brawl!
HC: What is your favorite memory?
AR: My favorite memory of Garnet Girls is last year at Nationals. It was the first time everyone on the team had competed there, so it was really special for all of us. We got a lot closer as a team and made some really great memories.
HC: What is your favorite stunt?
AR: My favorite stunt is a full-up or anything that spins!
HC: What position are you, and when did you start cheering?
AR: I’m a flyer and I started cheering in first grade!
HC: What is your favorite thing about cheerleading?
AR: My favorite aspect of cheerleading is stunting, but my favorite thing about cheerleading is the people. We all have the same passion for the sport, and it creates a bond between us that few understand. Cheerleading has given me friendships that will last the rest of my life.
HC: What is something people don’t really know about cheer?
AR: People don’t really know that cheer is just as much a sport as anything else. They might not know how much hard work goes into cheerleading.
HC: What are some tips you would give to someone who is just starting out cheer?
AR: I would say to always give 100 percent. Also don’t rush to get new skills, they take time. And remember that every stunting position is equally important. Become friends with your teammates! The closer you are as a team the more likely you are to be successful.
HC: How did you find out about FSU cheer?
AR: I found out about Garnet Girls through social media. I knew I wanted to continue to do cheer in college and Garnet Girls was exactly what I was looking for
HC: How did your tryouts work and how would someone get involved in FSU club cheer?
AR: Tryouts for FSu club cheer/Garnet Girls is a three-day process. The first two days are mostly dusting the rust off your skills after the summer, and the last day is more of a traditional tryout day. We are evaluated on stunts, jumps, tumbling and on a dance that we teach at tryouts. At tryouts, everyone is put into stunt groups and asked to show the judges a few of our basic and core stunts. Everyone is asked to do their highest running and standing tumbling pass and then we do the dance in small groups. In the spring we host another small tryout to give people who may have missed the first one a chance to show their skills.
To get involved with Garnet Girls, keep an eye out on their Instagram. Tryout information is posted on there as well as if there are any spot openings on the team.
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