Hopefuls try for cheerleading squad
CRANBERRY TWP — The co-owner of the new Western PA Warhawks minor league football team subscribes to the philosophy that if you're going to do something, you might as well go all the way.
So, Lurae Benzio said she wanted all the pizazz possible during tryouts Tuesday in North Boundary Park for a Warhawks cheerleading squad.
"The cheerleading squad is going to be a great added benefit for the team because of the entertainment segment," said Benzio, who also is the team's business manager. "We'll have a great team, from the players to the girls."
Benzio said that although the North American Football League season has already begun, the cheerleaders were added to bring more fans to the games, which are played at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. She said the Warhawks organization will welcome the women with open arms.Hills also had the five women do splits, gymnastics maneuvers and dance moves.Deana Ruey of Upper St. Clair said she and her friend and co-auditioner Stephanie Crayne miss their high school cheerleading days. Ruey, a recent West Virginia University graduate, said the two were looking for something fun to do during the summer."These girls will be tied right into (the organization) as little sisters," Benzio said.Only a handful of women attended the tryouts, but Cynthia Hills, co-owner of Choreography by Christian, said she was impressed by the skills and talent on display."They're fabulous," Hills said. "I think they're picking it up very well and we hope to keep them all on board."Her daughter, Christian Hills, who will remain with the Warhawks for the season, choreographed the seemingly complex dance she taught auditioners on Tuesday."Michael Jackson pop!" Hills shouted to the perspiring prospective cheerleaders.
"Left, right, lunge, hitch, kick, swoop and pop, pop, pop!""We like performing in front of people," Ruey said, "and we like to dance."Theresa Ivancik of Butler said she took dance lessons as a girl, and performed on the dance team at Butler High School. Ivancik hopes to enter the choreography field in the future or perform as a dancer in the background of a video. She currently models."I was always making up dances when I was young," Ivancik said.Desiree Roll of Butler helped Hills teach the women the audition dance moves, and will be seen on the Warhawks squad when it is assembled."I'm doing this for the love of dance and because I believe in the Warhawks and I want to help promote them."Cynthia Hills said while the number of women attending the initial audition was low, she thinks many more will take advantage of the opportunity to cheer after graduation from high school or college."I think next year, this will be the squad to be on."For more information on the Warhawks football team or cheerleading squad, go to www.wpawarhawks.com.
