Only a select few have the chance to enjoy the 2012 Olympic basketball games in a courtside seat - two former Mandarin High School cheerleaders have that opportunity. Cody Snyder from Mandarin's Class of 2002 and Ashley Cowan from Mandarin's Class of 2004 are two of the 16 talented American cheerleaders who were selected as part of the Varsity cheerleading squad for the 2012 Olympic Men's Basketball games in London.
During the Olympic Games, Cody and Ashley will join the rest of the squad as they cheer for the Men's Basketball Semifinals and Finals. The squad, sponsored by Varsity, is comprised of outstanding college cheerleaders and top instructors from across the United States. The team will entertain the crowds and television audiences with choreographed cheers, stunts, tumbling and a performance during the halftime shows.
The team of American cheerleaders works closely with the Ascension Angels from the London Borough of Newham, coached by Angela Brown, who initially reached out to the group.
"We are thrilled to be bringing top notch athletes to London to lead the crowd in cheering on the competitors," says Jeff Web, founder and CEO of Varsity. "As cheerleading makes strides to become an officially recognized sport, we welcome the opportunity to show the world what cheerleading is all about."
The Varsity Cheerleading Team includes the following individuals
|
Team Member |
Hometown |
University |
|
Cody
Snyder |
Hagerstown,
Maryland |
University
of
Central
Florida |
|
Ashley
Cowan |
Jacksonville,
Florida |
University
of
Central
Florida |
|
Josh
McCurdy |
Meridian,
Idaho |
Morehead
State
University |
|
John
Chebret |
Humble,
Texas |
Texas
State
University |
|
David
Clemons |
Canton,
Michigan |
Morehead
State
University |
|
Ryan
Jackson |
Hopewell
Junction,
New York |
Hofstra
University |
|
Logan
Lefler |
Combine,
Texas |
Texas
Tech
University |
|
James
Blunk |
Oak
Harbor,
Washington |
Sacramento
State
University |
|
Ronnie
Patrick |
Huntington,
West
Virginia |
Morehead
State
University |
|
Jackie
Martin |
Orlando,
Florida |
University
of
Central
Florida |
|
Megan
Murdock |
Walton,
Kentucky |
University
of
Kentucky |
|
Hillery
Swanson |
Oakley,
California |
Sacramento
State
University |
|
Nicole
King
Rollins |
Bartlett,
Tennessee |
University
of
Memphis |
|
Amanda
Banahan |
Lexington,
Kentucky |
University
of
Kentucky |
|
Chris
Darby |
Teaneck,
New
Jersey |
Temple
University |
|
Brandon
Garvey |
Independence,
Kentucky |
Morehead
State
University |
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