The students holding pom-poms on the sidelines of Canyons District prep sport competitions are a far cry from the cheerleaders of yesteryear. Gone are the days of cheerleading as a social club or an extracurricular activity to encourage school spirit. Indeed, times have changed. Cheer, to be sure, has entered a new era. As seen on such shows at Netflix’s “Cheer,” students on CSD’s prep competitive cheer squads hit the weights to build strength, flip like Olympic gymnasts, and boast dancing skills of the choreographed squads who back up pop divas in music videos. This week, we talk with the award-winning coach and three members of the CSD cheer squad that has not only won the first-ever state championships in competitive cheer — but has made quite a splash nationally for the team’s tumbling skills, performing ability, and mental toughness. Corner Canyon’s cheer squad, led by Coach Whitney Lunt, are not just Instagram stars with 66,000 followers, but an elite force that is advancing the artistry and athleticism of a growing sport. 

00:00 Introduction to Modern Cheerleading

01:16 Meet the Corner Canyon Cheer Squad

01:50 The Evolution and Role of Cheerleading

03:01 Personal Stories and Challenges

07:38 Mental and Physical Strength in Cheer

14:27 Understanding Cheer Terminology and Roles

17:37 Competition Categories and Scoring

19:45 The Rewards and Challenges of Cheerleading

22:48 Conclusion and Best Wishes