2025 Tryout Cheer
2025 Tryout Dance (Current Grades 9-11 only)
Optional (Encouraged) Open Gyms in the Aux Gym - April 3 and 10, from 6-8 pm
These are free to current West Albany students. Transfer students and 8th graders should bring $5 to each clinic.
All athletes, whether a West student or not, must sign up HERE.
Enter the Aux Gym through the North Door (near the C-Hall entrance and student parking lot).
Optional (Encouraged) Pre-Tryout Clinics: in the Aux Gym - April 15 and 17, from 6-8 pm
These are free to current West Albany students. Transfer students and 8th graders should bring $5 to each clinic.
All athletes, whether a West student or not, must sign up HERE.
Enter the Aux Gym through the North Door (near the C-Hall entrance and student parking lot).
Tryout Steps:
Step 1: Athletes and Parents- Read our 2025/26 Cheer Handbook. This is full of information about what to expect next year. Pay special attention to attendance requirements, costs, and dates.
Step 2: Turn in a Sports Physical form to the West Albany front office (if current West student) or coach Wadlow (if not current West student). If you have a physical on file it is valid for two years.
You will need to take this OSAA exam form to your physician’s office when getting your student’s sports physical. Physical examinations are only good for two years from the date of the examination. Follow this link.
Step 3: Fill out Cheer Application- Due Monday, April 14
Link to application HERE.
Step 4: Check out our Resources Page for videos that will help you to prepare for tryouts.
Step 5: Pre Tryout Parent/Athlete Meeting
Tuesday, April 15 pm in Aux Gym at 8:00 pm
If a parent or family member is unable to attend the meeting, please make sure you go over the handbook thoroughly as a family and turn in a signed contract.
Step 6: Attend Tryout Clinics- Open to West Albany students and current 8th graders. Participants will learn the tryout material and practice motions, jumps, tumbling. Attendance is mandatory unless you have a schedule conflict and have communicated in advance with Coach Wadlow. Wear athletic clothes and athletic or cheer shoes.
April 15 and 17 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Aux Gym
Step 7: Tryouts- Friday, April 18, 4-7pm.
Tryouts will take place in small groups between 4:15 and 7:00pm.
Tryouts will consist of: running tumbling and/or spirit onto the floor, jumps (toe touch and choice of two others- returners must do a double jump), standing tumbling, chant, and band dance.
Team placement will take into account grades, attitude, school behavior, and teacher recommendations, as well as tryout skill performance.
Tryouts will be judged by a panel of coaches and former cheer coaches. Graduating seniors will be asked to help lead tryout clinics, but will not be on the tryout panel or decide team placement.
What to Wear: Shorts, athletic top or t-shirt, and athletic or cheer shoes. Any colors are fine. Hair in a high pony (or half up if too short). Bow is optional, but encouraged.
Step 8 (if you are placed on a team): Mandatory Parent and Athlete Team Meeting- Thursday, April 24 7:00-8:00 pm in Aux Gym
We will discuss team details and kick off our Sponsorship Drive and Krispy Kreme Donut fundraiser.
From 8:00-9:00 pm we will have uniform fitting. Parents can go home or wait in their car.
$300 uniform deposit due at meeting.
Tryout Requirements:
Completed tryout application due Tuesday, April 15.
Completed Physical form turned in (or on file in office) by Tuesday, April 15.
Intend to be enrolled as a full time student at West Albany High School for the 24/25 school year.
Current high school students must be on track for graduation. If the student is credit deficient, talk to Coach Wadlow about a contract and plan.
Intend to commit to a full school year of cheerleading, including: football, basketball, competitions, Cheerleading Class (7th period). Between August and the end of February, you should expect 3-5 evenings per week of cheer commitments (between games and competition practice).