Tryouts

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Pirate Cheerleader!

Tryout registration for the 2026-2027 Whitworth Cheer Team is currently OPEN! Please read through our FAQ section or email Head Coach Haley Elkin (helkin@whitworth.edu) with any questions. For the most up to date information on tryouts, please follow our social media pages.

CLICK HERE TO RECIEVE ROUND 1 TRYOUT INFORMATION (Open 1/1/26 - 3/1/26): Click Here for Tryout Registration

Tryouts for the Whitworth Cheerleading Team are held in the following format:

- January 1st - March 1st, 2026: Registration Open to Receive Round 1 Tryout Information

- March 2nd, 2026: Tryout Material Released to Those Registered

- March 2nd - March 22nd, 2026: Round 1 Material Submission Window Open (turn in material at any point throughout this window to be considered for Round 2)

- March 23rd - Mach 27th, 2026: Submission window closed, submissions evaluated by coaches.

- March 27th, 2026: Round 2 In Person Tryout Invitations Sent (registration is open for those invited to round 2 for candidates to let us know they plan on attending)

- April 1st, 2026: Deadline to complete Round 2 registration if invited

- April 17th, 2026: Round 2 Tryout Day 1 - Mandatory Open Gym, Fitness Test

- April 18th, 2026: Round 2 Tryout Day 2 - Final In Person Tryout

- April 18th, 2026: Team selection announced no later than 2:00PM

Round 1 Virtual Material Submissions

- All instructions on what to include for your Round 1 submission will be included in an email to all registrants on March 2nd, 2026.

- Video submissions will include the following elements:

- Sideline dance (choreography and instructions sent in email sent on 3/2/26)

- Sideline cheer (cheer and instructions sent in email sent on 3/2/26)

- Up to 3 clips of your highest/cleanest stunting skills for either multibase or coed (can be up to 3 clips for both).

- Highest running tumbling skill/standing tumbling skill (tumbling not required, but we’d like to see it if you do have any!)

Round 2 In Person Tryouts

- Day 1 of Round 2 In Person Tryouts will take place on April 17th, 2026 in the Whitworth Fieldhouse. Day 1 will include the following elements:

- Open Stunt Block 1 (candidates will be placed in stunt groups and will be given time to stunt around)

- Fitness Test (this consists of a timed mile, push ups, sit ups, and plank)

- Open Stunt Block 2 (candidates will be placed in stunt groups and will be given time to stunt around)

- Material Review (candidates will be given time to review material and receive support from current athletes and coaches)

- Open mat for tumbling (optional)

- Day 2 of Round 2 In Person Tryouts will take place on April 18th, 2026 in the Whitworth Fieldhouse. Day 2 will include the following elements:

- Final Material Review (candidates will be given time to review material and receive support from current athletes and coaches)

- Final Tryout (athletes will come out in groups of 3-4 and perform their tryout material in front of a panel of judges. Once your group is finished, you are free to leave the gym)

- Team announced by 2:00PM

- First Team Meeting

Tryouts for Male Stunt Men

- Tryouts for stunt men will follow a similar format as tryouts for female athletes. Tryouts for stunt men will consist of the following elements:

- Round 1 Virtual Tryout (this will consist of candidates calling the cheer and including up to 3 stunting skills showing their highest multibase and/or coed skills, as well as any tumbling).

- Round 2 In Person Tryouts (men will attend Day 1 to participate in open stunting time and the fitness test. Men will attend day 2 to showcase their cheer and fight song).

How is the team selected/announced?

Following in-person tryouts, judges will tally up scores and select the team. Team selection will be posted on the Whitworth Cheer Instagram (@whitworthcheer) no later than 2:00PM on April 18th, 2026. Those selected for the team will meet in the WALT Building at 4:00PM. The WALT is building number 58 on the Whitworth Campus Map. Click here for a Campus Map.

What should I wear to tryouts?

Prospective cheerleaders will be asked to wear either a black or white sports bra or tank top with black spandex or shorts for both days of tryouts.

Day 1: Tryout participants should be dressed appropriately to exercise and stunt.

Day 2: Tryout participants hair and makeup should be "game day ready" (natural glam makeup, neutral/natural makeup. Your makeup should reflect what makes you feel most confident!). Please wear a black or white sports bra or tank top with black spandex.

What should I bring to tryouts?

Day 1: Headshot (any recent photo of you that judges can use during deliberation), hair tie to put up hair for fitness test and stunting, water bottle.

Day 2: Water bottle

What does "game day ready" hair and makeup look like?

"Game day ready" as a Whitworth Cheerleader consists of natural glam makeup (neutral eyeshadows, light face makeup). Eyelashes are acceptable. Hair should be neatly styled and look presentable, as if you were going to cheer a game in the Pine Bowl or the Fieldhouse!

What experience is required? Do I have to know how to tumble?

No formal cheerleading experience is required to make the Whitworth Cheerleading team. Coaches and judges are looking for a positive attitude, potential to improve and learn quickly, a strong work ethic, and a desire to make the program better. If you do not have any cheerleading/stunting experience, clinics are a great time to practice/learn these skills. Clinic dates are announced on the Whitworth Cheer Instagram (@whitworthcheer). Tumbling is not required to make the cheerleading team but will add points to your overall tryout score.

What if I do not make the team?

If you have any questions about what you can improve on, please wait to contact coaches after 48 hours of the team being announced.

What can I do to prepare for tryouts?

Exercise and drill cheerleading motions! Clean technique is always best. Attend clinics if possible and make sure you are up to date on any further information, which will be provided first on our social media pages.

Instagram: @whitworthcheer

Facebook: Whitworth University Cheerleading

Tik Tok: @whitworthcheer

For any further questions, email Haley Elkin at helkin@whitworth.edu. Go Pirates!