While at some schools, cheerleaders struggle to be considered “serious” athletes, MIHS’s squad members are known for working hard in daily practices, displaying admirable athleticism during performances.

The addition of three football players to the squad has only boosted the team’s image.

This fall, varsity football players Joshua Skelly, Phil Frazier and Parker Scott, all seniors, signed up for the cheerleading class at school and have since performed with the girls during school assemblies.

The boys were recruited to help the girls perform stunts such as lifts and tosses, but the experience has been richer than anyone could have imagined.

“I would have to say, this is one of the best decisions I have ever made,” says Scott, a cornerback and wide receiver for the football team.

All three boys attend cheer class daily, often participate in before-school workouts and take on extra weekend practices at an Eastside gym, under the supervision of Brian Antich, owner of Action Athletics.

The team’s new additions “have increased our level of stunting difficulty, because the girls feel they can take more risks,” says varsity cheer coach Traci Brandon. “They know the football players are very well conditioned, and trust they will be caught.”

Nevertheless, the stuntman’s job can be stressful. In one of the toughest stunts, “tossed hands,” the male stands behind the female cheerleader with his hands on her hips. He raises her straight up, grabs her feet, and then straightens his arms, so the girl is balanced on his hands, above his head.

“People don’t realize how hard it is,” says Scott.

Of course, stunting is not without occupational hazards.

“My worst fear is dropping someone,” admits Frazier, a running back and line-backer. However, he adds, the guys can get injured, too. “Sometimes the girls fling their arms when they’re in the air, and I can get hit in the face or get a bloody lip.”

While all three have potential to play football at college, they know that cheerleading may be an easier route to college acceptances and scholarships.

“I’m helping the guys get skills so they can cheer in college,” says Antich of Action Athletics. “Not necessarily so they can get scholarships, but so they can get exposure to alumni who might help with future internships and job offers. Plus, cheering in college is a great way [for them] to stay involved in football.”

Those who wonder if male cheerleaders worry about a negative stigma need only spend a few minutes with the three burly stunt men.

“I kind of like to be out of the box,” says Scott. “I don’t really care what people think of me, and I have no regrets [for joining the cheer squad].”

Skelly admits he was hesitant, at first.

“Last year some cheerleaders told us they needed three strong football players to do stunts, but I wasn’t sure about it,” admits Skelly, an offensive and defensive lineman. “Then I went online and saw videos of partner stunting, and thought it looked cool.”

Skelly has been in contact with the Oregon State University cheer coach; after viewing Skelly’s videos, the coach invited him to visit for a tryout. Skelly is investigating the cheer programs at the University of Washington and Washington State University, as well.

However, Skelly has kept his options open, and still is considering an offer to play football at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.

Meanwhile, senior Frazier — a running back who recently received second-team All-League honors — admits his route to the cheer squad was a bit more self-serving.

“I thought it would be a good idea for my culminating project, and I needed another PE credit,” he explains. “It was either take a PE class or hang out with the girls [on

the cheer squad].”

Frazier quickly got hooked. He spent much of the summer learning stunts at the Action Gym, and is now contemplating cheering in college.

The football jocks aren’t the only males on the cheer squad; they join gymnast Dominic Morris, who has been livening up football games with his flips and handsprings for three years.

“It’s a fun, school spirit thing,” Morris says, who will either cheer or compete in gymnastics at college.

“These boys are very committed and respectful. They take it very seriously and have brought a whole new energy and dynamic to cheer,” said coach Brandon.