Dyersburg Cheer Tryouts: an Overview

Bailey Nolen - Reporter

Photos courtesy Dyersburg Cheer

   Despite two weeks of cancellations and rescheduling, head coaches Georganna Stanley, Amanda MacArthur and Kalli Parr have finally selected the Dyersburg High School Cheerleaders for the 2025-2026 school year. The tryout clinics began on March 31, with the official tryout being scheduled for the following Friday, April 4. However, due to severe weather and flooding conditions, only two clinics were completed. Despite this, the cheerleading candidates persevered.

   “Overall, tryouts went really well. We had great material to learn put together by Coach Mac, and everyone learned it very quickly, which I’m thankful for with having to miss the last half of clinics,” Stanley said.

   Stanley, MacArthur and Parr have made a significant change to the cheerleading squad for the upcoming season. In previous years, cheerleaders were selected for either the football or basketball squads. There was also an optional competition squad that would feature cheerleaders from both the football and basketball squads. This year, candidates had the option to indicate they were interested in cheering on both squads. This change was brought about by the discontinuation of the competition squad. 

   “By choosing not to have a competition squad, we’re looking to implement some of those higher standards into our sideline. By expecting higher levels of stunting, crowd leading, and overall spirit on the sideline, we’re hoping to really amplify our sideline routines,” Stanley said.

   On April 10, the candidates for the Dyersburg High School cheerleading squad participated in their long-awaited tryouts. In the end, 24 cheerleaders were chosen for the football squad, and 20 cheerleaders were chosen for the basketball squad.

   “We have some great leaders in our rising junior and senior classes, and I am confident that they will be great examples and role models for our freshman and sophomores,” MacArthur said. 

   The next step for the cheerleaders is to begin the preparations for UCA camp in the summer, which will be held at Arkansas State University, and to host fundraising events for the upcoming season. Keep an eye out for the 2025-2026 cheerleaders on the football and basketball sidelines next year!