BHS Graduate and Former Indian Cheerleader Natalie Southern Makes Fairmont State Cheer Team
By Julie Perine on August 27, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
A 2014 graduate of Bridgeport High School where she was a member of the BHS cheer squad for four years – Natalie Southern is the newest member of the Fairmont State University cheer team.
A FSU junior, Southern said this is the first year she has gone out for the team, which is coached by Hannah Brown, and cheers Fighting Falcons football and basketball games.
“Usually, I have some of my classes at the Caperton Center in Clarksburg, but this year all my classes are on the Fairmont campus so I’ll be there every day,” she said. “So I just wanted to get involved and try something new – and I’m excited.”
A flyer for the BHS cheerleaders, Southern said she wasn’t sure how she would measure up at tryouts after sitting out of the sport for two years.
Tryouts were held Aug. 18.
“We learned a couple of sideline cheers and they taught us a little bit of the fight song. We also did some tumbling and stunting,” Southern said.
Brown said at tryouts, she looks for girls and guys with cheerleading experience and fills spots based on tumbling ability, stunting ability and attitude.
“We look for members who are looking to be a part of a fun supportive team,” she said.
Southern said having a couple of friends on the FSU Cheer Team was another incentive for her to try out. Those friends are BHS graduates Taylor Burd and Kristen Staub.
Both have been on the FSU Cheer Team since their freshman year and have been major assets to the team, Brown said.
There are 15 members on the 2016 FSU Cheer Team. The first football game at which the girls will cheer is Aug. 10. The cheer team doesn’t compete, Southern said.
Editor's Note: Pictured from top are Natalie Southern and the 2015 Fairmont State University Cheerleading Team.
