CA PTA I SPLIT TALENTS~ A porn routine. An anchor spot. A toe touch. A newscast. A tumbling segment. Senior Latoya Riley, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, juggled a coanchor spot on "Live at Five," TV 16'5 daily newscast. Throughout the year, the cheerleading squad would practice anywhere from two to five days a week, depending on whether it was football or basketball season. Riley said the schedule was difficult at times, but she pulled through. "Knowing regardless of al1 the activities I do, God is number one," Riley said. "He keeps me focused." Junior Kim Frizzell, "Live at Five" co-anchor, said Riley was always on the go. "We would go to a fair for a public relations class, come back to campus and prepare for the broadcast," Frizzell said. "After that, r would turn and she [Riley] would be saying goodbye as she went off to cheerleading practice." Riley said she didn't mind the schedule, however, because she knew performing well in everything she did was her responsibility as a Christian. "Sometimes we waste potential God-given talents," Riley said."Every day we are presented with time to indulge in those opportunities he has given us." Riley was just one of 12 women who worked throughout the year to pump up the Harding fans at the football and basketball games. Each woman tried out in the spring for the following year. When trying out, each woman had to perform a cheer, a sideline, a jump, a partner stunt and a tumbling segment. Once on the squad, the women practiced throughout the week on different aspects of the cheerleading sport. "We do a lot of experimenting in practice to see what works best," freshman Kristin Mitchell said. "We work different stunts and stunt groups to see what looks good." Senior Cali Anderson, Riley's co-captain, said one of the most important aspects of being on the squad was staying fit. "We workout together and individually," Anderson said. "Everyone has to be sure to be healthy if they want to cheer." - RENEE LEWIS 273 - CHEERLEADING
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