SWIM. BIKE. RUN.

     “One, two, three...” The countdown begins, full of excitement. 

     “Six, seven, eight...” A blur of purple, gold and red tumbles across the floor.

     “Ten, eleven, twelve!”  The crowd erupts into thunderous applause.  

     Anyone who has attended a UNI basketball game in the McLeod Center may not know their names, but they know the petite, red-haired cheerleaders whose synchronized back flips send the crowd into a frenzy. 

     Twin sisters Kristen and Clarissa McPheron from tiny New London, Iowa, have become a huge hit for the Panthers.  

     Neither of the McPherons had a goal of cheerleading when they were young.  “We were both involved in dance and tumbling since kindergarten,” Clarissa explained.  “We thought cheerleading would be a good way to keep up our tumbling.” 

     Kristen said it's been fun to learn more of the stunts specific to cheerleading.  “I'm usually a 'holder' on the pyramids. It's nice to feel I'm contributing to the betterment of the entire squad.”  

     What about getting dizzy after 11 back flips and a round off?  “I'm a little dizzy by the end,” said Clarissa, “but by focusing on the crowd and waving, it helps me get back to my spot on the floor.  By then, I'm okay usually.”  

     The girls enjoy cheering for football because the open space of the Dome is less restrictive, allowing for more stunts, but Clarissa said she prefers basketball.  “We get to know the players and there are more games.  The McLeod Center is awesome when it's packed like it was all this past year.”  The twins even celebrated their birthday with fans at the Sweet 16 in St. Louis.

     The sisters always have performed together in acrobatic duets and competitions, so even though they didn't feel pressure to go to the same college, neither was surprised when each of them chose to attend UNI.  “We both really liked the atmosphere and size of UNI,” said Clarissa.  

     Like many twins, Kristen said she and Clarissa have a bond that has benefited them being at the same university. “We're so much alike.  We know what each other is feeling, what our frustrations are and how to encourage each other.”  

     While the McPherons make their stunts look easy, in reality it takes a lot of time and dedication to be able to perform.  The full squad of 26 practiced every other weekend all summer.  Once classes commenced, their scheduled work-outs total nine hours a week of organized practice, plus one unofficial work out day, and games.  The squad reports on game day one-and-a-half hours prior to the start.  

     UNI's cheer squad, like the dance team, does not have a coach, but several captains work with a volunteer advisor.  The squad will compete nationally this year for the first time and hope to have the same success as the dance squad that took first place in the nation last season.

     Like many student-athletes, the McPherons place a strong emphasis on academics.  They both have goals to maintain their high grade point averages this coming sophomore year.  Kristen had a 3.86 as a general communication studies major while Clarissa earned a 3.89 in Leisure, Youth & Human Services with an emphasis on tourism.  (“It's a long major!” laughed Clarissa.)

     Both girls emphasized that a big part of their motivation—for cheer and all other areas of their lives—is their strong faith.  “We just give glory to the Lord to be able to do all we can.  He made us and we praise Him for bringing us to where we are.  We know there is a reason,” Clarissa shared. 

     Recently, a court ruled that universities could not count competitive cheerleading as a sport under Title IX.  Clarissa acknowledged there is a stereotype about cheerleading.  “I hope we can help people see how hard we work, how much pride we have in our school.  It would be nice to earn a little more respect.”  

     One person who does understand their dedication and appreciates their role is men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson.  “Our cheer team is instrumental in creating a true home court advantage.  I know how hard they work and how much time they dedicate to being the best.  The atmosphere inside the McLeod Center they have helped create gives our players the energy to protect our home floor.  It's hard for our program to thank them enough for all of their efforts.”