By SUMERLYN YUDELL, Four Points News
Brooklyn Chase, soon to Texas Christian University freshman, tried out for the TCU cheerleading team in April and made the all-girls squad.
“I am excited to meet all of the girls and team members when we return in August because I’ve only met everyone virtually through Zoom,” Chase said. “I’m so excited for the football games and to experience the TCU traditions, as well as the whole year and every opportunity that comes my way being a TCU cheerleader.”
Chase has been cheering since the 4th grade within the Four Points community.
Chase’s sister, Kailey Chase, a current junior at TCU encouraged her to try out as well as her tumbling coach at Austin Tumbling Academy, Johnny Alverez. Her parents, Marc and Marta Chase of River Place, were also huge supporters and encouraged her throughout the process.
The try-out process for the collegiate team was altered this year due to COVID-19 circumstances. The candidates had to learn material a month in advance to tryouts and send in film in order to show off their skills. Chase also attended TCU cheer clinics in order to familiarize herself with the program and get prepared for her tryouts.
“All information was posted on the TCU cheer website, however, making an appearance at the clinics made it easier to go about this process,” she said. “I was able to ask the girls on the team questions and/or the coaches if needed. The clinics helped me understand what they were looking for and they answered any questions we had to make tryouts go smoothly.”
Chase will start practicing with her team starting in August and could not be more excited to cheer on the Frogs.
Loving the TCU campus and Fort Worth area, Chase knew TCU was her dream school and where she wanted to continue her education. She is majoring in biology and pre-med in order to someday go into the field of dermatology.
Cheering since she was young and being a part of the Vandegrift cheerleading program helped Chase achieve her dream of becoming a TCU cheerleader.
“I am so blessed to have been a part of Vandegrift cheer and met some amazing friends. I honestly did not think college cheer was for me but I am very grateful for my family, friends and coaches who strongly encouraged me to just try,” she said.
Chase was on the Vandegrift junior varsity cheer team freshman year and on varsity her sophomore through senior years. She has been awarded with an “All-American Cheerleader” status all four years of high school, an award given to cheerleaders who exemplify high level skills. Chase was also a part of 2019 4th in state and 2020 3rd in state Vandegrift UIL cheer team.
Attending the TCU cheerleading clinics helped Chase solidify her next chapter because before that, she wasn’t sure college cheer was for her.
“I would encourage anyone who has the slightest thought of trying out for collegiate cheer, because in my case you never know what could happen and you don’t want to regret anything,” she said.
