By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

It's difficult to think of a high school sport that doesn't receive instant legitimacy when its teams do extremely well.

Though these young women cheer for Pembroke Academy athletes, they are fine athletes in their own right. The PA varsity cheerleaders tied for first place at the Class I state competition. (Courtesy Photo)

But it's far too easy for Donna Ong and Kimberly Jackson, head coaches of Pembroke Academy's varsity and JV spirit squads, respectively, whose teams recently completed spectacular seasons.

The two women need no time to cite their sport as a prime example of athletes who must work twice as hard to receive half the respect given to other athletes, teams and programs.

"It's not a frilly sport," Ong said of cheering. "You're not supposed to judge a package (based on its exterior). You're supposed to open it up and look inside."

Ong and Jackson have worked side by side the past seven years to build the PA spirit squad program. They are passionate about cheering and committed to their teams. They expect and receive the same attitude from their athletes.

This year, Ong and Jackson guided their groups to the top of the pyramid.

The junior varsity squad was dominant, winning the state JV competition by almost 40 points over its closest competitor on Feb. 20. (Courtesy Photo)

The Spartans varsity squad tied for first place in the Class I state competition at the University of New Hampshire on Feb. 13. At the JV level, PA won the title by nearly 40 points at Nashua South High School on Feb. 20.

Both coaches said PA's administrators, student body and other sports teams provided great support to their girls during the 2004-05 winter season.

Generally speaking, however, the sport of cheering and the athletes who participate in it barely raise the mercury on the respect meter, the women said.

"It's the skirt," Ong said of the reason she believes cheering isn't taken seriously by more people. "It's the short skirt. They just can't get past that skirt. The uniforms have gotten smaller, but there's a reason for that."

Spirit teams wear more formfitting apparel to complete often complicated moves, Ong said. In the past, uniforms were too bulky, causing athletes too many problems related to proper execution.

"They're spitfire, that's for sure," Jackson said. "There are athletic bodies in those uniforms."

That makes 29 athletic bodies in total. Strength and conditioning were two keys to the success of the Spartans 17 varsity athletes and 12 JV members.

Stamina is extremely critical. In a three-minute routine, the girls must showcase several skills without slowing down.

Cheering, Jackson said, takes on many of the same characteristics as hi-impact aerobics or kickboxing.

And one thing all spirit squads don't want to see on a judge's scorecard, Ong added, is a remark stating the girls were out of breath.

To ensure such a description isn't associated with the Spartans, the girls take part in various exercise and weightlifting routines, just like athletes of any other program.

Still, for all their hard work, the girls have moments when emotions boil over, the coaches said, because the notion that "anyone can cheer" continues to exist.

Rather than allowing their girls to give into frustration, Ong and Jackson always tell their teams to use that anger as motivation.

"Any good team on that mat, they're good because they make it look easy," Ong said. "I don't know why people look at (cheering) and think they can do it."

The PA coaches tell their teams if spectators think the sport is easy, it means the girls are successfully doing their jobs.

"Sports are supposed to test your skills and also test your character," Ong said. "And not always is it done with 100-percent grace. All sports do that for people not just cheering."

But specific to cheering, Ong and Jackson said they sometimes see themselves as "militant coaches."

While it's all right for athletes of other sports to be seen laughing or having a good time competing, those rules don't always apply for the spirit squads.

Trying to keep it fun for the girls without putting them in a position where they're labeled as unintelligent is a constant challenge for the coaches.

Would the stereotypes about cheering disappear if more male athletes were involved? With time, perhaps. But the PA coaches hesitate to say more young men would mean greater credibility.

"I think there's a stigma around here that male cheerleaders are gay," Ong said. "If you go down South, that's not the case."

Both Bishop Guertin of Nashua and Memorial have great coed programs, Jackson said. Still, it's currently a novelty in the Northeast.

Despite the obstacles, the coaches and athletes of PA's spirit squads remain determined to do their part in changing opinions about the sport.

"During games, in competitions, in practices, everything - giving up is not an option," Jackson said.

PA's 2004-05 varsity spirit squad included seniors Dakota MacIsaac, Haley Meher, Laura Pritchard and Lynnette Spofford; juniors Kasi Belanger, Kaylan Bushey, Amanda Fuller, Holly Marcottte, Shannon Martin and Danielle Morin; sophomores Amy Edmonds, Brittney Grigsby and Danielle Yeaton; plus freshmen Kailey Daneault, Kristin MacIsaac, Sarah Masters and Alyssa McQueen.

The '04-'05 JV team included sophomores Amber Abott, Korin Kamieniecki, Shannon O'Connor and Brittany Welcome, plus freshmen Meagan Celen, Kailey Lacaillade, Catherine LePage, Christina Locke, Jillian Plourde, Kayla Pouilot, Brittany Senechal and Corinne St. Laurant.

"I really want people to think about this sport before they judge it," Ong said. "I'm willing to talk with anyone who will give it a fair shake. They don1t have to like the sport. But they should understand these girls are just like any other athletes. They work hard."