September | Volume 1, Issue 1

Terps
S p i r i t

A newsletter to the parents of the University of Maryland

Cheerleading team
Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt
Terps Come Out of Their
Shells with Yoga and
Contents Zumba Classes

Maryland cheer introduces new

classes for athletes
New spirit gear available online
1 practice will be alternated between
T his fall, the University of
Maryland Cheerleading
program will introduce a policy for
Nurit and Renee live active lifestyles and encourage
athletes to participate in yoga and the Maryland cheerleaders to join them and try new
Zumba classes during the week. The physical activities to live balanced lives.
last 30 minutes of Monday night
yoga and Zumba classes for athletes to
Photo courtesy of Renee Carls and Nurit Wilkins

enjoy, unwind and try new activities.
Q & A with one of the team’s A good athlete is not only defined
rising seniors as having good physical health, but
being mentally and emotionally fit
too. The new policy is set in place to
Preparations for fall cheer camp help athletes live a well-balanced life.
are underway
2 Nurit Wilkins, a certified instructor
at CorePower Yoga in Baltimore,
Renee Carls, the Maryland Cheer
team mom, will instruct the Zumba
classes. Carls has years of experience
with instructing Zumba, and her
classes will allow athletes to use
repetitive dance moves to work out
their muscles and practice their
rhythm.

Both classes will benefit the athletes

Maryland and a Maryland Cheer
Learn some facts about this alumna, will lead the yoga classes. in their stunting, tumbling and
Wilkins will teach the best movements motions, as well as provide fun at
year’s team
for flexibility and meditation for practice.
athletes to use to cope with the
stresses they face.
Fall auditions taking place in
September will range from S-2XL. Prices
New Online Ordering and the order form can be found
3 Services Offered for
Maryland Gear
online. Once submitted, customers
can expect their orders within two
weeks of the order date.
New rule change
introduced; how M aryland Cheer is adding
spirit gear to the list of
services and products that can be
will it affect the
team? found on the official website. This
year parents, friends and alumni
can order spirit clothing online for
gamedays.
Stay connected
with Maryland Several types of clothing and styles Various styles and sizes are available for order on the
official Maryland Cheer website at
cheer
4
will be offered. Women’s sizes will www.marylandcheerleading.com
range from XS-2XL and men’s Photo courtesy of Stephanie Skolka
Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt
Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt

and develop leadership and

Maryland Cheer
Senior Spotlight: Caroline organizational skills. Previous camps
Announces Upcoming have gained positive feedback
Mckee
Fall Cheer Camp from the campers and Maryland
cheerleaders alike. This event allows

T
Q: What is your favorite thing he beginning of the 2018- the team to get involved in the
about the cheer team? 2019 academic year marks surrounding community and show

“
the annual University of Maryland off the skills they have learned from
My favorite thing is Cheer Camp, a three-day camp
from Aug. 29 - Sept. 1 catered
years of training and experience. Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt

that it connects me to athletes from school teams, Profits from the camp will
partner stunt groups and individual go toward the yearly expenses
with other students participants. Maryland athletes will throughout the season to minimize Created with Piktochart
that share my love instruct and teach campers various the financial obligations of the Source: Stephanie Skolka

skills in areas ranging from stunting student athletes.

of cheer, and allows and tumbling to gameday cheers
us to have fun and

”
and routines. Spots are available for the camp
and all athletes are welcome to
stay in shape. The camp will take place in the sign up on the official University
Xfinity Center auxiliary gym of Maryland Cheer website at way for me to find friends and have amazing
Q: Do you have any pre-game or located on campus. Athletes have www.marylandcheerleading.com Second Chance to Join the Cheer opportunities to attend on campus.”
pre-competition rituals that you the opportunity to be the coach Squad With Fall Auditions
do? Individuals who wish to audition must be a
Fall auditions to join the University of full-time Maryland student and have a at least
A: I always pray before every Mckee takes a moment to pose for the camera Maryland Cheerleading program will be held at two years of cheerleading experience. During
game or competition. I feel like it during the Terps’ last home game against Penn 9 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the Xfinity Center located the audition, individuals will be evaluated
State.
helps me calm my nerves and feel on campus. This is an opportunity for those on their stunting, tumbling and dancing
like, “I got this.” Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt who did not attend the spring auditions to have abilities. Individuals will be asked to perform
the opportunity to travel with the team, attend the Maryland Fight Song and complete a
sporting events at the university, meet new short interview with the judges to determine
Q: What is a life motto or quote that you like to live by? friends and continue their cheerleading careers their public speaking abilities and physical
in college. appearance. Results will be posted on Sept. 10.
A: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know
better, do better.” It is a quote by Maya Angelou that I like to come back “Being a Maryland cheerleader allows you
to whenever I feel like I could have done something different or better to All required forms must be completed prior to
to be involved on campus in a big way,” said auditions. All forms and additional details can
get a more favorable outcome. This quote reminds me that life is a learning Stephanie Skolka, a senior member of the
experience and that learning this lesson in the present is just as important as be found on the official Maryland cheer website
squad. “I didn’t know many people when I at www.marylandcheerleading.com.
anything else I could have done in the past. first came to the school, and it was a great

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Skolka 3

2
 AACCA Rule Change Flipping into pyramids is no longer The rule changes will force revisions
Affects What You’ll permitted unless it is at a prep level to be made to the Maryland Cheer
See on Sidelines or lower, which means many of routines, but it will ensure that all
Maryland’s gameday pyramids will athletes are performing skills safely
The American Association need to be revised. and to the best of their abilities.
of Cheerleading Coaches and
Administrators (AACCA) has enacted Basket toss regulations have been
rule changes for the upcoming altered as well. In flipping tosses,
2018-2019 season. Some of these only combinations comprised of one
rule changes apply to the Maryland flip and one twist will be permitted.
Cheerleading program, specifically in These combinations will only be
stunting. permitted if the two side tossers
are male. For Maryland
Cheer, which is an all-girl
team, many of the tosses
performed in competition
will no longer be
permitted. For example,
Maryland’s double-full
baskets have now been
ruled illegal. All-girl teams
are now limited to single
flipping combinations.

Two flyers take a moment to pause for the crowd

Maryland Cheerleaders excite the crowd by performing flipping skills while persorming a pyramid during one of the
during timeouts and media breaks at football games. football games.

Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt

University of Maryland Cheerleading

Xfinity Center
www.marylandcheerleading.com
College Park, MD 20742

Stephanie Skolka- Editor

email: steph.skolka97@gmail.com
phone: 410-200-8283
@marylandcheer

@Maryland Cheerleading

@MarylandCheer

4 Photo courtesy of Mutt Meritt