As the season approaches, the Texas A&M University – Kingsville’s (TAMUK) stunt team is rising to the call and kicking off early morning practices with training techniques and building team chemistry for newcomers.
Head Stunt Coach Lindsey Garcia said it has been a smooth transition from last year to this year with a combination of veteran athletes and new athletes joining the team as well.
“We started preparing mid-September, with the goal to teach everyone, especially the rookies,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the hardest part is getting the newcomers comfortable with the techniques and everything they do.
Kennedy Ward, a junior TAMUK stunt athlete, shared the importance of preparation for stunt and the difference in practice when compared to cheer.
“The team’s preparation is crucial, especially with other athletes that have dual sport practice hours. Stunt athletes only practice six hours a week, while students in Stunt and Cheer have to practice eight hours a week,” Ward said.
“Coming in every morning and jumping into hours of reps gets exhausting,” Ward said, “…but the expectation is that we stick together as a family and fight through it together.”
Arabella Cobos, a freshman TAMUK stunt athlete, shared that the chemistry built between each other happens during practice and outside of practice.
“The team and I have a lot of fun doing things inside and outside of practice, but the team knows when to flip a switch and buckle down. The team’s energy is tested every time they step on to the stage, every chant and cheer they do is tested with looks and confidence. As every team may have that person with loads of team spirit, Kennedy Ward is our official hype athlete before big performances,” Cobos said.
Before every performance, Ward hypes up the team and she does positive chants to keep a smile on the entire team’s face.
Garcia shared that team chemistry has been one of the strongest parts of the program, and the girls do so much together.
“Even if they are in cheer and not stunt or in stunt and not cheer, they are always around each other,” Garcia said. “They work out together, they go to bible study together and some even live together. Their team chemistry is very strong.”
As the season approaches and the TAMUK stunt team continues to practice, Garcia and her team will continue to focus on growth, confidence and pride.
The Javelina Stunt team was able to come away with a win in the first outing of their season. For more updates stay tuned on the @javelinastunt instagram page
