05/19/2006
News 14 Carolina
News 14 Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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WEEKEND CONFERENCE LOOKS TO KEEP CHEERLEADERS SAFE

(FAYETTEVILLE) - Cheerleaders and their coaches are flocking to Methodist College this weekend for the National Cheer Conference.

Most of the focus though is how to keep the athletes safe.

Like the millions of other cheerleaders around the United States, Tiffanie Wagner understands the sacrifices she makes for her sport.

"I've had two concussions, a strained tendon in my thumb, and a strained tendon in my arm," said Wagner, a Methodist College cheerleader.

Recent studies have shown that the number of cheerleading injuries have more than doubled since 1990. Some say it's because the sport has become more physically demanding.

"The stunts are a little different now that they were in the 1990s, and a lot of things we can take out of this conference is how to prevent the serious injuries, the unnecessary injuries. You can't push an athlete beyond their athletic ability," said Tami Turrie, who coached cheerleading for 11 years.

Methodist College's cheerleading coach, Melissa Hay, agrees, which is why she makes sure her squad works out properly.

"We have morning conditioning programs prior to their class schedule along with the hour practices where we do our conditioning which includes cardio, weight training, as well as yoga," Hay said.

Coaches said they've seen more restrictions on the types of stunts that can be done during games and competitions because there is more of a focus on safety and injury prevention.

For the cheerleaders though, the risk is just something they're willing to take.

"It's a passion for me,” Wagner explained. “It's something I love to do, and I think that's what keeps everybody going is the passion for their sport."

Doctors said the most common injury site is the ankle, though head and neck injuries are usually more severe.

UNC has found that cheerleading is responsible for almost half the high school and college injuries that lead to paralysis or death.

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