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Tryouts and new cheers for another year in PSH sports
By JOSSELINE CARBONARE
STAFF WRITER
JMC73O@PSU.EDU
Their voices echoed through the
empty Penn State Harrisburg's
basketball court.
"C'mon, C'mon! Lets go! , Lets
Go Harrisburg!" they shouted.
On Monday, Sept. 8 and 9 PSH
cheerleading practice was a little
different from any other practice
this year. Both girls and guys lined
up at the Capitol Union building
printing their name on the sign in
sheet for this year's 2008-2009
cheerleading tryouts.
About 15 students tried out
Monday evening, demonstrating
their cheer, stunting, dance and
jump abilities. Thick tumble
mats were standard equipment on
Monday's tryouts, allowing the
girls and guys who were able to
demonstrate those skills to do so.
"Tumbling is a definite asset,
although not required," said Head
coach Tammy James.
Nerves were on the edge as each
and every person demonstrated
their hardest presenting what
Student athlete of the week: Katie Lynn Kessler
BY MORGAN DYSINGER
STAFF WRITER
MEDSIS2@PSU.EDU
Katie Lynn Kessler, a member
of Penn State Harrisburg's
Varsity Women's soccer team, is
a native of southern California.
Kessler grew up in the Malibu
region of the Golden State and
attended Palisades Charter High
School - lovingly known as
"Pali" by its students and faculty.
When she was initially exploring
her options for college, she knew
she definitely wanted a change
of scenery and chose to narrow
her search to schools on the East
Coast.
"I wanted to broaden my
experience and learn not to just
have a 'West Coast' attitude and
mind set," she stated.
In the academic realm, Kessler
found a place within the majors of
criminal justice and psychology.
Her ideal career would be "a
criminal profiler in a large
skills they had to land a
spot on the squad.
The final squad members
were chosen based on their
personalities, cheer, dance
and tumbling abilities.
Rookies were notified at
the beginning of Tuesday
night's second round of
tryouts, that they had made
the team. Out of the 15
who tried out, 13 made the
team.
"This year's team is a great
mix of talent, enthusiasm
and desire. I am looking
forward to a great season,"
said James.
Now that a team has
been chosen for this year,
practices begin. Girls and
guys will be taught new
cheers, chants, dances,and new
stunt groups will be formed.
"It is essential to practice
everything because come game
day, if someone is missing then
we have to re-arrange everything,
That is why commitment is a
big deal to be on this team," said
Elyse Muro
police precinct Northeast of
here, like in Massachusetts or in
Connecticut."
Her majors are what first attracted
her to PSH
"Originally I
applied to PSU
main campus,
but after a lot
of changes to
my major it
actually turned
out that PSH's
Criminal Justice
program is very
prestigious," she
said.
She realized
the campus's
atmosphere
was a much
better fit for her,
"especially after
meeting a lot
of good friends
I don't want to
lose."
Student athlete, Katie Lynn Kessler plays
varsity soccer for PSH.
During her first
r.i
Each cheerleading practice
consists of five minutes of
stretching, practicing jumps,
routines and daring acrobatic
stunts.
"Coach Tammy is very big on
our jumps ... She wants everyone
to be uniformed ... Technique
is big formality. For warm ups,
we get divided into partners and
year at PSH, Kessler roomed with
a future captain of the Women's
soccer team, Amanda Basile, and
it was the encouragement from
Se .t. 24 2008
numbers, going back and fourth
doing jumps one through five and
once we get to five, we go back
down, basically doing 10 jumps
in a row. There are definitely sore
bodies the next day!" said Elyse
Muro.
Practices are held two or more
times a week, lasting one to two
hours. They are held sometimes
Basile and good friend Katie
Hollinger (the other women's
team captain) that gave her the
confidence to try out for the
team in August 2007. Although
she had no prior experience in
the sport, she quickly adapted
to the rules and expectations
of the game and returned this
year with a season under her
belt, ready for the fall of 2008.
"I love the fact that I am
able to say I'm part of the team
established here. Everybody
on the team has such a great
personality and something unique
to offer ... There's never a dull
day," she said. "It really feels like
a second family because you know
that 10 players have your back
when something goes wrong."
Her favorite position to play
on the field is right defense. She
claimed it will most likely remain
her favorite forever, primarily
because she likes "being able to
win the ball from the opponent
and drive it up to the top for an
both during the day and evening,
usually determined on the class
schedules of squad members. The
team also tries to take classes at
the Hershey Gymnastics Center at
their own leisure.
"Going on our spare time to the
Gymnastics Center helps us build
our Tumbling strengths ... There
is everything from spring floors
to trampolines. It's a great place
for us cheerleaders to go because
it's cheap, and fun!" said Tiffany
Marrow.
PSH cheerleaders help cheer the
Lions to victory and entertain fans
at every home game. Cheerleaders
at PSH represent both Women's
and Men's basketball in
conjunction with school spirit
events and fundraisers held around
campus.
Apart from typical fundraising
events like car washes and bake
sales, there are some very unique
events and fundraising that PSH
cheerleaders are involved in.
Please see SQUAD
on page 18
opportunity to score."
Outside of her studies and
commitment to soccer, she enjoys
spending her time with friends,
reading good books, listening to
music, going to the gym and when
possible, working with horses -
particularly her beloved equine
pal, Reggie. She rides horses
competitively back home in show
jumping and English equestrian.
The next home soccer game,
which is against the Gallaudet
Bisons, will be on Thursday,
Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. Following the
Women's game is Men's soccer at
6 p.m.
"Gaines are always interesting
and fans are always encouraged
to watch," said Kessler. "Make it
out to a game and cheer your lions
to a W in the win column!"
Suggest a student athlete at
captimes@psu.edu.