By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Ashley Nanney is head over heels, literally, about performing as a cheerleader at N.C. State.
The pretty, perky and powerful performer is having the time of her life as a member of the all-girls squad. She’s helped the Wolfpack team rake in some sweet trophies during her career.
Nanney, a former standout cheerleader and softball player at Southside High School, started her cheerleading career in middle school at SW Snowden.
A background in dance, including tap, jazz and ballet, along with experience in tumbling helped Nanney land a spot on the Wolfpack cheerleading team.
She said going from a high school team to a college squad is a huge step.
Nanney said college cheerleaders have to be able to perform a number of difficult moves and routines.
Nanney, who is studying mathematics, said numbers are important. It’s not just about the number of routines and stunts a cheerleader can do, but numbers earned in the classroom are equally vital.
Nanney also said that college cheerleaders are expected to put in a certain number of hours at the gym to keep in shape.
Her squad practices for two-and-a-half hours three nights a week.
"We have a strict exercise plan," Nanney said. "We are required to do something six out of the seven days a week. Practice days count, so basically I have to go to the gym three days a week.”
While being a college cheerleader can be time consuming and grueling, Nanney is flipping out that she’s a part of a strong Wolfpack squad.