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Nanney doing flips at N.C. State
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Ashley Nanney is head over heels, literally, about performing as a cheerleader at N.C. State.
The pretty, perky and powerful performer is having the time of her life as a member of the all-girls squad. She’s helped the Wolfpack team rake in some sweet trophies during her career.
“There is nothing like sticking your routine in front of a big crowd,” Nanney said. “I love cheering in college more than anything. It's been the best experience of my college career.”
Nanney, a former standout cheerleader and softball player at Southside High School, started her cheerleading career in middle school at SW Snowden.
A background in dance, including tap, jazz and ballet, along with experience in tumbling helped Nanney land a spot on the Wolfpack cheerleading team.
She said going from a high school team to a college squad is a huge step.
“N.C. State is one of the top cheerleading schools in the country,” Nanney said. “Both our co-ed and all-girl (teams) consistently place in the top 10 at college nationals.
“You have to have really strong tumbling skills, strong stunting skills and be able to try anything the coaches throw at you.”
Nanney said college cheerleaders have to be able to perform a number of difficult moves and routines.
“College stunts, pyramids and baskets are harder than at the high school level,” she said. “Flipping and twisting baskets and two-and-a-half high pyramids aren't allowed in high school, but are standard at the college level. You learn these skills when you start in college.
“You have to be mentally strong, physically strong and be willing to try everything.”
Nanney, who is studying mathematics, said numbers are important. It’s not just about the number of routines and stunts a cheerleader can do, but numbers earned in the classroom are equally vital.
“Grades are important,” Nanney said. “You have to keep a certain GPA to compete at certain competitions, including NCA College Nationals.
“You have to have really good time management skills to balance school, practice and all of the other fun activities that college brings.”
Nanney also said that college cheerleaders are expected to put in a certain number of hours at the gym to keep in shape.
Her squad practices for two-and-a-half hours three nights a week.
"We have a strict exercise plan," Nanney said. "We are required to do something six out of the seven days a week. Practice days count, so basically I have to go to the gym three days a week.”
While being a college cheerleader can be time consuming and grueling, Nanney is flipping out that she’s a part of a strong Wolfpack squad.
The pretty, perky and powerful performer is having the time of her life as a member of the all-girls squad. She’s helped the Wolfpack team rake in some sweet trophies during her career.
“There is nothing like sticking your routine in front of a big crowd,” Nanney said. “I love cheering in college more than anything. It's been the best experience of my college career.”
Nanney, a former standout cheerleader and softball player at Southside High School, started her cheerleading career in middle school at SW Snowden.
A background in dance, including tap, jazz and ballet, along with experience in tumbling helped Nanney land a spot on the Wolfpack cheerleading team.
She said going from a high school team to a college squad is a huge step.
“N.C. State is one of the top cheerleading schools in the country,” Nanney said. “Both our co-ed and all-girl (teams) consistently place in the top 10 at college nationals.
“You have to have really strong tumbling skills, strong stunting skills and be able to try anything the coaches throw at you.”
Nanney said college cheerleaders have to be able to perform a number of difficult moves and routines.
“College stunts, pyramids and baskets are harder than at the high school level,” she said. “Flipping and twisting baskets and two-and-a-half high pyramids aren't allowed in high school, but are standard at the college level. You learn these skills when you start in college.
“You have to be mentally strong, physically strong and be willing to try everything.”
Nanney, who is studying mathematics, said numbers are important. It’s not just about the number of routines and stunts a cheerleader can do, but numbers earned in the classroom are equally vital.
“Grades are important,” Nanney said. “You have to keep a certain GPA to compete at certain competitions, including NCA College Nationals.
“You have to have really good time management skills to balance school, practice and all of the other fun activities that college brings.”
Nanney also said that college cheerleaders are expected to put in a certain number of hours at the gym to keep in shape.
Her squad practices for two-and-a-half hours three nights a week.
"We have a strict exercise plan," Nanney said. "We are required to do something six out of the seven days a week. Practice days count, so basically I have to go to the gym three days a week.”
While being a college cheerleader can be time consuming and grueling, Nanney is flipping out that she’s a part of a strong Wolfpack squad.
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