Throughout the fall semester of the last four years, seniors David Roulston and Frankie Garcia have spent their time bashing opposing players in the trenches of the offensive line.  However, after having their high school football careers ended with a loss to Aledo in November, both players looked for something else to keep them occupied and fill the void football left in their lives. 

For Roulston and Garcia, that outlet ended up being what some would consider a rather unusual choice for bruising offensive linemen.  That choice was cheerleading.  Roulston and Garcia both said they were looking for something to do to stay involved during their senior years.  It just so ended up that varsity cheerleaders talked them into joining the squad.

“I was kind of in a dark place,” Roulston said.  “I didn’t know what to do after football.  I just got talked into giving it a try, and went from there.”

However, Roulston said the decision did not come without reaction from his classmates.

“No one expected me to join,” Roulston said.  “A lot of football guys gave me a hard time, but I just laughed it off.  The girls were actually excited because they had wanted guys to join for a while.”

Garcia said cheerleading has been an exciting challenge for him, and has been something he has enjoyed.

“I had always wanted to try [cheerleading],” Garcia said.  “It’s actually difficult because it’s not just all strength; there is a lot of technique involved.”

Roulston said cheerleading has definitely provided him with a different kind of challenge, but is still very different from a sport like football.

 “The hardest part [of cheering] is knowing all the precise timing,” Roulston said.  “You have to know where you are supposed to be at all times, and you have to execute the stunts we practice.  At the same time, there isn’t as much practice or as much of a physical toll on my body as there was with football.”

While it is not the same as football, cheering has opened up new doors after high school for Garcia.

 “I hope to continue cheering [in college],” Garcia said.  “There are a lot of good scholarships for male cheerleaders.”

Garcia said he has learned a lot and gained a lot of respect for cheerleading from this experience.

“One thing I will take away is that cheerleading is a lot harder than most people assume,” Garcia said.  “It is a very competitive sport that requires both strength and technique.”

If there is anything to take away from one’s senior year in high school, memories would be the thing.  Roulston said cheerleading has given him the chance to do just that.

“This has helped me come out of my shell,” Roulston said.  “It’s been a fun time and it’s given me something to do and make some new friends.  In the end, it’s totally worth it.”