ANKENY HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING
TRY-OUT INFORMATION 2016-2017
Tryout Clinic Dates:
March 21st , 23rd and 25th
All from 6-8pm in the AHS Auxiliary Gym
(open House Style)
Tryouts:
Saturday March 26th from 9am-?? AHS Gyms
Post tryout Parent/Cheerleader Meeting
Monday March 28th 6pm-?
Dear Prospective Hawk Cheerleaders and Parents:
We would like to thank you for your interest in Ankeny Cheerleading. Attached, you will find the
paperwork that you will need to have completed and turned in the first day you attend clinics. If you do
not have your paperwork completed and on file with us, you will not be permitted to participate. Please
carefully review all of the information included in this packet and feel free to contact us if you have any
questions. Please bring all completed forms to the first day of clinics you attend. DO NOT TURN THEM
INTO THE OFFICE.
Tryouts are CLOSED to the public; parents are allowed in the big gym the day of tryouts. However,
once the applicant enters the first stage of tryouts you will not be permitted to follow. There are not
exceptions to this. Tryouts will be held Saturday, March 26th from 9:00 AM until everyone has
completed their try out. You must wear: PLAIN white t-shirt, black/dark shorts, gym/cheer
shoes and a bow/ribbon. Please have your hair pulled back off of your face and no jewelry. Squad
lists will be posted at the school first on the doors you will be leaving through that day. Then we will
post them on our School Fusion Page by Sunday morning. The roster will also be posted by the
Activities Office at the High School and outside of the main office at Southview on Monday the 28th.
High School Cheerleading is a VERY demanding and time-consuming sport that begins in June and
does not finish until March. We take great pride in coaching our athletes to their absolute highest
potential. While building personal skills in tumbling and cheerleading are important, we are most
proud of the character, personal achievement, teamwork, commitment, and resiliency that our athletes
gain while being a part of our program. Each student needs to seriously consider the amount of time,
hard work and dedication involved with cheering for Ankeny High School before deciding to try out for
a team. Please read this packet and discuss the information with each other before signing the
application and acceptance documents. Your signature indicates that you and your daughter/son
understand that cheerleading requires time, energy, dedication, commitment, dependability, costs and
a willingness to support our cheer program.
Being a part of a squad means that there are people counting on you. You will be expected to keep your
grades up and maintain your cheering eligibility. Many of Hawk cheerleaders combine good time
management skills and study habits to maintain a 3.25 GPA, making them eligible for the CIML AllAcademic Award. As coaches, we will accept nothing less than your best in both academics and
cheerleading.
Ankeny Hawk Cheerleaders are highly visible in the community. You will be expected to be a model
representative of Ankeny High School, the cheerleading program, at home and at other schools. Always
remember, little girls and boys are looking up to you and want to be just like YOU!
We look forward to seeing you at clinics and tryouts.
Cheerfully, Ankeny Hawk Cheerleading Coaching Staff
I. Coaching Staff:
Coach Katie Bales: Varsity Fall, Varsity Basketball, Maroon State Squad, General Overview
Coach Britne Rupiper: Varsity Fall, Varsity Wrestling, Maroon State Squad
Coach Allie Ring: JV Fall, JV Winter, Gold State Squad
Coach Kelly Ugolini: Freshman Fall, Freshman Winter, Gold State Squad
II. Try-Out Procedures and Schedule:
A. Appearance: All-American look, Iowa Cheer Coaches Association Rules
Hair: MUST be fully pulled back (no bangs/whispies - including hair by ears)
Jewelry: None
Nails: well maintained, cut short (not visible above fingertip), no polish or acrylics
Shoes: cheer shoes or athletic shoes
Clinics: T-shirt and shorts (athletic style clothing)
Try-outs: hair bow/ribbon, plain white t-shirt, black shorts and Athletic Shoes
Any violations to the rules will result in negative points.
B. Clinics
- March 21st , 23rd and 25th from 6pm-8pm in the AHS Auxiliary Gym
- Material:
Stations- learn/review tryout dance, learn/review jumps, practice current
tumbling skills (no spots), cheer motions and game day skills, and
stunting practice for varsity candidates.
- Attendance:
‘Open house’ style- Come when you can, stay for as long as you need.
- Attire: Please wear any athletic clothing and shoes. No spandex shorts or
midriff shirts will be allowed. Keep the 3 B’s covered!
C. Try-outs
Date: March 26th – In the AHS gyms – 9am - ?
-Check in times will be
Those trying out for freshman team only 8:30AM
Those trying out for JV 9:30AM
Those trying out for Varsity 10:30AM
- OPEN Review Time: Free Time to review in the big gym while waiting to try-out
- Judging will begin around 9am.
- Judged on: Tryout dance, cheer (you will learn that day), jumps, tumbling
(optional), enthusiasm, poise, confidence, appearance, and leadership qualities.
If you require an early tryout time please talk to a Coach at CLINICS not the day
of tryouts.
- Video tryouts will be available if you are unable to attend the day of tryouts. You
must schedule a time with Coach Bales during clinics.
- You will bring all items with you to the tryout area. After you have concluded
your tryout you will leave through the NORTHWEST doors and exit the
building. You will not be admitted back into the gyms.
Judging
- Points:
Score sheets will be used by AHS Head Coach, Varsity Assistant, JV
Coach, Freshman Coach, and guest judges.
Scoring: Judges Sheet is provided at the end of packet. This is not the
exact document judges will use, but is a great tool to reference in order to
know what judges are looking for.
We will not be using any score sheets or videos from previous
years. If you do not perform it at this tryout you will not get scored on it.
We will be using Grade Reports this year – in your paperwork you are to
turn in your most recent grades. Far each Failing grade on your report
card you will loose a point.
- Results:
The coaches will tabulate all cumulative ballot results. Results will be
posted later Saturday afternoon on the NorthWest doors and Sunday
morning to the Cheerleading Fusion Page, Twitter Account and in the
schools.
- Calls:
Please be aware Coaches may be making some phone calls prior to posting
the results. If we have questions about your application or squad choices
we will be contacting you for clarification. Keep a phone close just in case!
If you do not answer the coaches will make the decision for you.
D. MANDATORY Post Try-out cheerleader and parent meeting:
1. March 28th – AHS Cafeteria – 6pm-8pm
This is a MANDATORY meeting for all those who made a squad. You will receive a lot
of information about fundraisers, uniforms, camp and lots more! This is the Uniform
fitting as well. If you are not there for the fitting there is no way to know your size.
E. Declining a position- In order to decline a position you must contact Coach Katie Bales prior
to the meeting on Monday. Please note that if you decline a position you will not be offered a
new one. Any time after the start of the meeting on Monday, if you decline the position after
that time you will no longer be able to tryout the following year.
F. Contacting Coaches after Tryouts- We will not be answering emails, phone calls or texts
regarding tryouts and or squad placement until 2 weeks after our tryout date.
1. Please know that judging cheerleading tryouts is extremely difficult. We really
appreciate everyone who makes an effort to come to Clinics and Tryouts. If you
would like to review your scores please make an appointment with the Coaches no
sooner than two weeks after tryouts. We will be happy to go over any information
with you about YOUR tryout and YOUR scores. Scores and information regarding
other Candidates will not be discussed.
III. Forms Necessary for Try-outs:
Forms are due the first day you attend the cheer clinics in order to practice. If these are not turned in
you are not eligible to participate. You will not be allowed into the gym without all of your paperwork.
A. Cheerleader Application - signed
B. Concussion Form - signed
D. Printed Copy of most current Report Card
E. Emergency White Card – signed on back
F. Cheerleading Rules Acceptance Form – signed (found on the back page of the Cheerleading
Handbook) Print a copy from our School Fusion Page.
All this information will be posted on our School Fusion site. This will also be where we
will post the squad list after tryouts.
IV. Ankeny Seasonal Squads and Competitive Cheerleading
Season Squads
A. Fall Squads
a. Varsity will have a minimum of 16 members
b. JV and Freshman squads will have a minimum of 8 members
B. Winter
a. All winter squads will have a minimum of 6 members
State Maroon Squad (Music), State Gold Squad (Cheer), State Stunt:
We will only have Competitive Cheer squad if there are enough interested.
A. All Cheerleaders will have the opportunity to be placed on a Competitive Squad. Freshman
MAY be placed if they score in the top 15% and we require the numbers or skills.
B. Coaches will determine cheerleader placement during try-outs and squads will be
announced along with season and level squads.
C. State Stunt will be determined during camp and the fall season
D. Choreography:
1. Maroon Squad:
i. Professional hired to choreograph music routine in June
ii. AHS Coaches will choreograph cheer
iii. Mandatory Choreography: June (Final dates TBA soon)
iv. Tentative schedule Wednesdays during the summer from 5-6pm to practice
2. Gold Squad:
v. AHS Coaches will choreograph cheer
vi. Professional hired to assist with stunts
vii. Mandatory Stunt Practice: July (Final dates TBA soon)
viii. Tentative schedule Wednesday during the summer from 5-6 to practice
E. Competitions:
1. All Day Events
2. Possible October Competition
3. Triton Challenge also normally held in October
4. State Competition held the first weekend in November
V. Proposed Purchases
If item has an * next to it - items will be the same as last year, returning cheerleaders may
purchase a new version, or keep what you purchased last year. This will be discussed further
at the post try-out parent meeting on March 28th.
All costs and items are subject to change or be added with or without notice
Prices listed are estimates- finalized numbers TBA
A. Mandatory Gear:
Game Day Bow: $18
*Maroon Briefs: $25
*Poms: $45
Shoes: $80 or $50
*Practice Clothing: $120 (4 complete outfits 1 new)
*Warm-up Jacket: $145
*Warm-up Pants: $57
Uniform Rental: $75
*Sleeves for under uniform: $57
Cheer Camp $405
Varsity and JV Cheerleaders will have a 25$ fee to go towards Boosters
**If you are purchasing your own shoes they MUST BE ALL LEATHER. You will not be
permitted to wear indoor competition shoes during ANY games. If you do not have the
correct shoes you will not cheer.
Optional items are available for purchase.
Sports Bra: $25 – this MAROON bra will fit under the cheer uniform
Sports Bra: $25 – This colorful back bra is a fun addition to one of the practice outfits.
Leggings: ____ - These come in full length and cropped.
Spirit T Shirt: ____ - An Oversized T
Optional Jacket:____- This is NOT the warmup jacket. This is a lighter jacket that you
can wear with the uniforms.
If you have items you are going to use from a previous year or are purchasing from a
previous cheerleader please indicate on your order form. Also you are not allowed to
make any additions to any of the items – Rhinestones, glitter and other items
are ILLEGAL for cheerleading. You are not to add any of those to any pieces of
you uniform, warm-ups or practice clothes.
B. Cheer Summer Camp:
a. Camp is required unless cleared by the coach. The material learned at camp and the
stunting will be used at the games during the year. The safety lessons at camp are
required to be gone over each year by law. If you are not able to attend Camp you
must set up a safety lesson with Coach Bales before the start of your season. If you do
not pass this safety lesson you will not be cleared to stunt.
1. Camp Cost: $405
a. Camp dates July 23rd –July 27th at the Lake Ozark Lodge of Four Seasons
Resort. We will leave around 10AM Saturday to head to camp and return
July 27th
2. Bus: $50 – May decrease depending on fundraising and sponsorship totals.
3. Camp Deposit: $100
i. Deposit is required at post try-out meeting. Final payment will be adjusted
based on fundraising. Deposit will go towards final payment. If not attending
camp, your coach must be notified no later than June 1st or your deposit will
not be refunded.
ii. Please make any checks out to ANKENY CHEERLEADING. With your
Cheerleaders name on the memo line. Bills are due June 1st. If you will
have issues making this deadline you must contact Coach Bales ASAP.
iii. Give payments directly to Coach Bales or send them to the
activities office with Cheerleading in the address and your
Cheerleaders name in the Memo of the check.
VI. Expectations of an Ankeny Hawk Cheerleader:
Details of expectations will be reviewed in greater detail at post try-out meeting March 28th.
A. Program Book Overview (reference AHS Cheer School Fusion page)
B. Responsibilities immediately following joining the program
1. Sponsorships:
* will directly impact camp fees above (Bus fee, decrease in camp fee also helps
pay for uniform pieces)
ALL LEVELS - $150 worth of sponsors for cheer account anything over 150 may
be put towards your bill. Any funds left over will go to the general cheer fund.
2. Fundraisers:
- Sell Cookie Dough for your Personal Cheer Bill. – 40% of your sales will go to
your bill
- Work Summer Jr. Cheer Camp or Fall/Winter Cheer Clinic
- Work 1 of 2 Carwash Dates TBD – Sign-up sheets will be provided
- Face Painting at Games
- Additional fundraisers may be added based on sponsorship total
3. Community/Squad service events:
- Participate in at least 5 hours of service (Community/Squad) in order to ‘letter’
or end season in ‘good standing’.
- The cheerleading program will provide multiple opportunities to volunteer.
VII. Summer Schedule:
A complete schedule will be presented at post try-out meeting March 28th.
A. Tumbling
1. If you are interested in taking a tumbling class this summer - talk to Coach Bales.
B. Summerfest Practice & Parade
1. Must attend practice to participate in parade
2. Expected to attend and represent Hawk Cheerleading in Summerfest Parade
3. Practice: Wednesday July 6th 6-8 am at AHS (parking lot)
4. Parade: Saturday July 9th Roughly 8:00-11:00am. Northview Parking lot.
C. Summer Cheer Camp – We will have practice before these dates to determine stunt groups
for camp.
1. Expected to attend and represent Ankeny Cheerleading
2. We will have 3 practices leading up to camp to go over cheers and to figure out stunt
groups for camp.
3. We will use the material taught at camp during the season.
4. Camp dates are as follows
i. ALL LEVELS – different this year
1.) Practices July 18th, 20th and 22nd 6am-8am
2.) We will attend UCA Camp at Lake Ozark Lodge of Four Seasons
Resort. July 23rd -27th.
a. The focus of this camp is stunting, jumps, cheers, safety and
skill building.
D. Cheers and Chants
1. Expected to be informally practicing all summer long.
2. Cheers and Chants are available on the AHS Cheer YouTube page (words and videos)
i. A link may be found on the Cheer Fusion page.
ii. You are expected to have an understanding of these cheers before we go to
camp.
iii. There will be a DVD available for the different seasons that you are able to
purchase for 1$
VIII. Expected Fall Schedule:
A. Pre-season events:
Gatorade Game: 8/2_?
(Varsity) Football BBQ: Early August
B. School Practice:
Practice will begin August 10th and be held at AHS in the commons/cafeteria for all levels
* all levels will practice 8/10 4-6 at AHS and continue regular schedule. In addition,
ALL LEVELS:
Monday 4-6
Wednesday 4-6
C. Games:
(Reference the CIML online for a more accurate schedule)
Fall Freshman and JV: Thursday and Fridays
Fall Varsity: Friday
You MUST wear your uniform to school on game days.
D. Homecoming:
All levels: Sunday of homecoming week Decorating Schools
Mandatory for ALL Fall Cheerleaders
Parents are encouraged to help!
Varsity: Door Sign Painting
VIII. Expected Winter Schedule:
A. Practice:
Practice will begin middle of November (Date TBD) and be held at AHS in the
commons/cafeteria for all levels.
ALL SPORTS ALL LEVELS:
Monday 4-6
Wednesdays 4-6
B. Games/Meets
(Reference the CIML online for a more accurate schedule)
1.) Basketball:
- All Levels: Tuesday and Fridays (occasional Saturday)
- All Varsity B-Ball, JV Winter, and Freshman Winter will cheer Basketball
Games.
- Varsity: All home and away games
- JV and Freshman: All home games (including some Monday games)
2.) Wrestling:
- JV Winter and Varsity: Thursdays Meets, Saturday Tournaments (all day)
- All Varsity Wrestling and JV Winter will cheer Wrestling Meets
- Varsity: All home and away meets
- JV: All home JV meets
Follow us on twitter @AHS_HawkCheer
Facebook AHS Hawk Cheerleading
Instagram @AHS_HawkCheer
If you have any questions Regarding Clinics or Tryouts please contact the Head Coach
Katie Bales
Katie.bales@ankenyschools.org
Thank you!
ANKENY
CHEER
Try-Out
Rubric
Excellent
4-5
Above
Average
3-4
Average
2-3
Unable to scoreFair
0-2
Tumbling
10 pts
Not Required
Running or standing
layouts, fulls, specialty
passes incorporating
two no-handed skills
Running or standing
tuck skills
Running or standing back
handsprings
No skills – 0 points
Jumps
20 pts
Two or more advanced
jumps performed with
above level, above
average technique*
Must perform a jump
sequence i.e. two
consecutive jumps.
Advanced jumps
performed with level
height, average
technique* and variety
(two different types of
jumps)
Advanced jumps (front/side
hurdler, toe touch, pike,
double nine) performed with
below level
height/technique*
Basic jumps (tuck, spread
eagle, double hook) or
Technique
includes: approach,
landing, toe point,
and motion
execution in the
jump
Dance
30 pts
Out of 5
Sharp Motions
Knowledge
Facials
Timing/Technique
Confidence
Involving spirit
Cheer
30 pts
Out of 5
Sharp Motions
Knowledge
Facials
Timing/Technique
Confidence
Involving spirit
Overall
Impression
5 pts
poor execution/technique* of
advanced jumps
Minimal variety (two
different types of jumps).
Poor execution of combo
jumps may be scored in this
range
Multiple visual effects*,
exceptional level of
execution, fast pace,
confidently mastered
material.
Multiple visual effects*,
above average level of
execution, fast pace,
mastered material
Basic visual effects*,
average level of execution,
average pace, basic
knowledge of material
Little to no visual effects*,
below average level of
execution, slow pace, poor
knowledge of material
* Visual effects Technique includes:
sharp motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork
* Visual effects - Technique
includes: sharp motions, on
count/precise movements
and footwork
* Visual effects - Technique
includes: sharp motions, on
count/precise movements and
footwork
Confidently masters
material. Strong voice,
sharp motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork.
Can effectively involve
spirit movements (jumps
and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal
and involvement with
motions
Masters material.
Projected voice, sharp
motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork. Attempts to
involve spirit
movements (jumps
and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal
and involvement with
motions
Basic knowledge of
material. Weak voice, not
sharp motions or off
count/sloppy movements
and footwork. Attempts to
involve spirit movements
(jumps and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal
and involvement with
motions
Poor knowledge of material.
Weak voice, not sharp motions
or off count/sloppy movements
and footwork. No attempt to
involve spirit movements
(jumps and/or standing
tumbling), crowd appeal and
involvement with motions
Demonstrates
showmanship (crowd
appeal) and strong
voices. Confident in
their skills. Have natural,
excited faces and
smiles. Show their
personality and be
enthusiastic. Has an
“All-American” look
Demonstrates
showmanship (crowd
appeal) and projected
voices. Have natural,
excited faces and
smiles. Show their
personality and be
enthusiastic
Lack of showmanship
(crowd appeal) and has
weak voice. Timid facials
and limited expression
Lack of showmanship (crowd
appeal) and has weak voice.
Limited to no facials or
expression
* Visual effects Technique includes:
sharp motions, on
count/precise
movements and
footwork