Two Bridgeport High School graduates are still in the running for West Virginia University’s 2015-2016 competition cheer team.

 

Isabella Malone and Sara Logsdon, members of the BHS graduating classes of 2015 and 2013, respectively, have made the first cut and will participate in a second tryout this weekend to vie for a spot at a national cheer camp to be held July 30-Aug. 1 in Louisville, Ky.

 

“Thirty to 35 girls tried out and out of those, we were in the 25 that made it,” said Malone about try-outs held in early spring. “Hopefully, we’ll be going to Louisville.”

 

At the onset of the school year, there will be yet another evaluation of the team with still more potential cuts and additions, she said.

 

“This is college so it’s different from high school. We’re being judged all the time,” Malone said. “It’s a rigorous process, but it will be worth it.”

 

Ultimately, about 25 girls will secure a spot on the team with 15 competing at a time.

 

Malone said she was prompted to try out for the team by her friend Logdson, who cheered last season for the WVU game squad and decided to shift her focus this year and pursue competitive cheerleading.

 

“I personally chose this squad because I love competing,” Logsdon said. “I started competitive cheerleading in third grade at Dance Unlimited in Clarksburg and fell in love! The feeling of being on the mat is one of my favorite feelings in the world.”

 

Logsdon said during her first year at WVU, she continued competitive cheer through Fire and Ice Fusion, but this past year – during which time she cheered at WVU games  - she gave it up.

 

“I never thought I’d miss it as much as I did,” she said.

 

Upon talking with a friend on the competitive cheer squad, Logsdon said she decided that team was a much better for her. She said the journey is even more fun with her longtime friend and fellow cheerleader, Malone.

 

“I knew she would love the idea. I am excited to cheer with her once again,” Logsdon said.

 

The girls cheered together at BHS. Logsdon was team captain her senior year. Malone cheered three years at BHS, but gave it up her senior year to concentrate on competitive swimming.

 

When approached by Logsdon about trying out for the competitive squad, she said she was up for the challenge and thought the WVU competition cheer team would be a great activity for her freshman year of college.

 

“I decided on cheerleading because I wanted to have friends and be a part of something in college. I know swimming on the college level is like a job and I didn’t want to overdo myself. I want to keep my grades up so I can attend medical school,” she said. “This is smaller and less committed. They only practice two to three times a week and I can stay in shape. I knew I wanted to do something and this is in my blood and history.”

 

Malone’s mom Lesli was a cheerleader for Liberty High School and at a bowl game in Hawaii, she was selected as an All-American Cheerleader and went on to attend a national cheer camp.

 

“If I progress like I am, it would be so cool to be able to attend the same camp,” Malone said.

 

Malone said her high school swimming career was partly about following in her dad Dr. James Malone’s footsteps. He grew up in Clarksburg, swimming competitively through club swimming and advanced to the state level. His coach was Jan Grisso, who also coached his daughter at BHS.

 

This past year, Malone excelled at state competition held at WVU, placing third in the 50-yard freestyle with her own personal best time of 25.14. She also captured fourth place at states in the 100-yard freestyle event and was among Bridgeport swimmers named to the First Team Big 10. 

 

Established in 2008 and founded by Chelsea Walus for females on campus who enjoyed staying active, making friends, having fun and competitive cheerleading, the WVU Competitive Cheer Team is a two-time national champion team - 2010 and 2013 - in the All-Girl Intermediate Division I for NCA. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from top is last year's WVU Competitive Cheer Team, Malone and Logsdon.