Jesse Lopez cheering on his teammates. Photo courtesy of Ryan Russo.

SAU junior Jesse Lopez has trained relentlessly throughout the 2024–2025 season, putting in hours of practice and dedication in preparation for the spring cheerleading competition season. 

His goal is clear: aiming for the chance to three-peat for the national championship with his team. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, Lopez took a hard fall during a stunt. 

“I never thought that would be the last time I was performing on the mat this season,” Lopez says.

With an injury causing significant pain, he was forced to throw in the towel, sidelining him from the season’s competition. 

Lopez is one example of many cheerleaders who have been injured due to the increase of intricate skills in the sport.

The Transformation of Cheerleading as a Sport

Cheerleading has evolved over the years, far beyond the traditional image of pom poms and sideline chants. While the SAU cheer squad still incorporates some of these classic elements, the sport has transformed into something much more demanding and athletic. 

After each season, the team evolves with more talent and skills that are implemented in the routine, Lopez says. “We try to outdo ourselves each year because every other team is getting better too. 

“What’s harder than winning two national championships? Three,” he added.

SAU’s cheerleaders compete with high-energy routines that feature not only the iconic spirit, but also complex stunts, advanced tumbling, and exhilarating basket tosses. These routines last for 2 and a half minutes, and every second is filled with breathtaking athleticism, skill, and precision.

The evolution of cheerleading, with its increased emphasis on complex stunts and tumbling, has led to a rise in injuries. A study by Angela Bagnulo and the Canadian Chiropractic Association found that injury rates are “increasing due to the increase of gymnastic-like maneuvers,” with reported injury rates of approximately 1-2.8 per 1000 athletic exposures. 

Injuries are a common occurrence for the SAU cheer team, according to Lopez, ranging from minor issues like jammed fingers to more severe conditions such as concussions.

The Injury That Costed the Season

Lopez’s journey began with a seemingly minor setback. “Last year, I attempted to do a tumbling pass, but I landed short and busted my knee.” 

Physical therapy offered temporary relief, but the underlying pain persisted, he says. “Over time it deteriorated.” 

In an ordinary practice earlier in the competition season, Lopez recalls everything took a turn for the worse. “I had a weak knee going into a stunt that I was under and it fell on me… I tore my lateral meniscus, and I had to have surgery to take out the torn parts.”

The diagnosis was a crushing blow. “I feel sad and defeated because I have been working up to this current season this whole school year, and I feel like all that hard work went down the drain. It is a bad mindset to have, but it’s how I feel.” He also expressed frustration since he competed in the first competition of the season, losing a season of eligibility.

The Team’s Cheerleader

Instead of the injury bringing him to despair, Lopez says he has found peace. “I have a new role on the team, and I’m now the team’s cheerleader. I get to be there for everyone and give pep talks and hype everyone up and be there emotionally and spiritually for everybody and help them be the best athlete they can be.”

Coping With an Injury On the Mat

Mikal Honeycutt pictured with his “newcomer of the year” award presented at the AMC championships. Photo courtesy of Sydnee Horstman.

SAU graduate student and cheerleader Mikal Honeycutt also understands the challenges of competing with a lingering injury. “I first got injured three years ago from tumbling and when I came to Ambrose, a doctor recommended surgery… that was tough on me,” Honeycutt shared, “Performing in the routine has been an issue at times. I have changed the way I tumble by keeping my injured wrist in a fist since it doesn’t have extension.”

Adjusting to Challenges

The impact of these injuries extends beyond the athletes themselves, affecting the team’s dynamics and performance. SAU head coach Alex Newenham says she has made adjustments to the routine because of injuries. 

“Cheer is like a puzzle piece. It can be very challenging to work around an injury in multiple aspects of the routine. Each individual is different in regards to how they deal with their injuries and respond to them.” She says this requires a personalized strategy. “You have to work with them individually and have a plan that is best for them and the team,” she adds. 

Newenham says she modified the routine due to an athlete’s ankle injury at the Saints Showdown in early March in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Riding high on an undefeated 2025 competition season, the SAU cheer team faces their final challenge at the NAIA National Championships in Ypsilanti, Michigan, March 28 and 29.