Texas Tech Names 2011-2012 Cheerleader Squad

The Texas Tech University Spirit Program has named the 32-member cheer squad for the 2011-2012 season.

A total of 59 students completed the preliminary audition process, with 47 named as finalists. Of those that tried out, 14 females and 18 males plus two alternates were selected.

Named for next year’s squad are fourth-year student Cory Bickel, Lee’s Summmit, Mo.; third-year students Jasmine Arnold, Lewisville; Jordyn Capehart, Allen; Richard Dunn, Lewisville; Brooke Littlejohn, Cleburne; Taylor Thomas, Lubbock; Corey Vaughan, Lewisville; second-year students Chad Brown, Duncanville; John Chebret, Humble; Kymber Drake, New Braunfels; DeMarcus Johnson, Indianapolis; Tanner Lyday, Lewisville; Laura Perley, Plano; Marissa Taylor, Farmersville; and first-year students Chelsea Ballow, Mansfield; Calvin Beene, Humble; Anthony Brown, Garden City, Kan.; Noah Cagle, North Richland Hills; Tony Castro, Cedar Creek; Coleigh Cheatham, Aledo; Ashley Culver, Flower Mound; Troy Deering, Fowlerville, Mich.; Jenn Friedrich, Roseville, Calif.; Mathew Golla, Anaheim, Calif.; Julious Grant, Fountain, Colo.; Charles Knight III, Nokesville, Va.; Taylor McLean, Lubbock; Andrew Mitchell, Baytown; Matt Parkin, Heber, Utah; Alex Pulido, Del Rio; Bradley Schaefer, Burleson; and Bridgette Van Weezel, Burleson.

Alternates are second-year students Jose Campos from Granbury and Hunter Thompson of Leander.

Joshua Anderson, the team’s coach, said the goal of the tryout process is to choose the best individuals to represent the university. Auditions consist of a preliminary and final round. Students had the opportunity to show their sideline talent, such as tumbling and stunts, as well as a pep rally performance in prelims and an interview in finals.

“This is by far the most talent and interest I’ve seen,” Anderson said. “My first year here we had to convince guys to try out, and every male trying out made the team. This year we had more than 30 men at the tryout, making it one of the most prestigious and difficult auditions in the nation.”

Anderson just completed his fifth year as cheer coach, with the team’s national rankings rising steadily at 5th, 5th, 3rd, 3rd, and most recently 2nd, with two years going into the final round in 1st place.

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CONTACT: Josh Anderson, Texas Tech cheer coach, at (806) 742-5433 or joshua.e.anderson@ttu.edu; or Stephanie Rhode, Spirit Program supervisor, at (806) 742-5433 or stephanie.rhode@ttu.edu.