McDonald to cheer at Montana State
Plains senior cheer captain Callie McDonald will be taking her talents to Bozeman this fall.
Last Sunday after excelling during her two day try out, McDonald found her name on the list of girls who had been accepted to Montana State University’s 2011-2012 varsity cheer squad.
“I checked the number on the door like 10 times. I was like, oh my God is that my number?” McDonald said. “I was just in shock, because it was so unreal. I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
MSU marked the second school in as many weeks to offer McDonald a spot on their team, as she was offered a position by Rocky Mountain College in Billings as well.
Shortly after hearing the news, while fighting back tears, McDonald called her cheer coach, Suzy VonHeeder.
“It’s an accomplishment for her and I,” VonHeeder said. “It’s a coaches dream come true to have an athlete move on.”
VonHeeder, who is stepping down after more than a decade with the cheer program, said this is the perfect way for her to end her time as coach. Allthough her roll will change, VonHeeder plans to stay involved with Plains Athletics as a member of the crowd and looks forward to having some more free time in order to follow McDonald’s progress next year.
In order to prepare for her tryout, McDonald enlisted the help of Nick Warren, Eddie Stuglemayer and VonHeeder. They helped McDonald perfect her extension cradle and full bound, a move where McDonald rotates 360 degrees in the air, to wow the judges.
Tryouts can be very difficult, said VonHeeder. Not only is the schedule grueling, as McDonald tried out for two different schools on consecutive weekends, but each girl has to trust others she’s never met while concentrating on their technique.
Of the 50 girls that tried out, McDonald was one of only 16 who made the cut. She will be on the sidelines for the Bobcats during football, volleyball and both men’s and women’s basketball seasons next year.
McDonald has been hooked on cheerleading since beginning her career at Plains.
“From the very first day I started cheerleading as a freshman I knew it was something I could never give up,” she said. “I love being in front of a ton of people and being able to lead them by cheering on a team.”
Despite changing teams, McDonald’s fans will have no trouble picking her out of the crowd next fall as she will retain her roll as flier with the Bobcats.
Although she won’t officially know until later this summer, McDonald is hoping she will receive a partial scholarship next year. McDonald’s high school grade point average and tryout score will make her a competitive candidate.
McDonald said her journey would not have been possible without the help of VonHeeder, her teammates and her parents who have loved and supported her throughout the years.