Typically, cheerleaders are associated with football and other sports with a strong audience and long periods of inactivity between plays. However, wrestling has its own brand of cheerleader -- often called "mat hostesses" -- who play a vital role during competition. These cheerleaders aren't merely decoration for the sport's main event. They take on utilitarian jobs that make the events run smoothly.
Cheering
Although they do fulfill other roles, wrestling cheerleaders will lead an event's audience in rooting for their team. Cheering etiquette is different in wrestling than in team sports, with group chants usually reserved for specific events in competition, for example when a wrestler is about to score a pin. Wrestling cheerleaders rarely engage in the acrobatic displays associated with football cheerleaders. They're too busy with other jobs to put in the practice time necessary.
Keeping Score
The scoring rules in wrestling are complex, and points often accumulate rapidly. Keeping score during a match requires both strict attention and a basic understanding of the sport. Wrestling matches and tournaments will often have a wrestling cheerleader filling this role.
Logistics
Wrestling cheerleaders are part of the chain of logistics for many wrestling teams and events. They will help set up equipment, run messages, make phone calls or send emails. If a wrestler is missing when it's time for a match, it's often a wrestling cheerleader who is told to find him. According to wrestling coach Andy Brick, major tournaments would be impossible to run if not for the helpful efforts of cheerleaders from various teams.
Organization
Wrestling cheerleaders aren't usually organized as a cohesive team like football cheerleaders. Instead, they're a group of young women -- almost always the sisters, friends and girlfriends of members of the team -- led by an adult adviser who is usually the mother of a wrestler. They rarely have organized practices, but will usually meet once a week to discuss their role in upcoming events.
Exceptions
This description is for the typical group of wrestling cheerleaders at a typical U.S. high school. However, some wrestling cheerleader squads do perform acrobatic feats and otherwise act like "regular" cheerleaders. Some wrestling cheerleader squads include male members. Other teams have no cheerleaders at all, and still others simply get the high school's cheer squad in regular rotation.
References
- Andy Brick; Wrestling Coach; Hillsboro, Ore
- NCAA: Wrestling Rules
Member Comments