Ferris Cheerleading Acrobatics Concern School Officials Addition Of Eight Boys Allowed Squad To Perform Dynamic Stunts

The Ferris High School cheerleading squad has quickly become one of the most, well, aerodynamic teams in the state.

The addition of eight boys to the squad last fall gave the group the muscles for impressive, high-flying stunts. It also made Ferris the only Greater Spokane League school with male cheerleaders.

But administrators at the South Side high school say they’re not sure if they’ll allow boys to cheer next year, citing the added expenses and possible liability issues that come with boy cheerleaders.

“When you toss girls 25 feet in the air at the college level it’s frightening enough,” said Ferris Principal Jon Bentz. “In high school, it’s even more frightening.”

In addition to the threat of injury posed by stunts, the additional eight cheerleaders equals that much more in travel costs to events like last weekend’s state basketball tournament, Bentz said.

But cheerleading adviser Jennifer Walther has vowed to fight for the guys’ right to cheer.

After the eight boys - almost all seniors and many football players - made the team, the Ferris squad attended a Universal Cheerleading Association clinic to learn how to perform the stunts safely, she said.

The boys cheered only during the basketball season this year.

But even in that limited time, the young men - with their deep voices and “macho” sports enthusiasm - whipped sporting event crowds into bigger frenzies than ever, said Walther.

“It’s a completely different arena (with boys on the team),” she said. “This group of young men has given a good name to it.”

Walther said she’s angered that boys may not be allowed to try out next year.

“I think that’s crazy,” she said. “I was pretty melancholy at the end of the season, knowing that was the end of their time with us.”

While no one’s denying there were definite perks to having boys on the squad, allowing them on the team this year was an experiment, said Assistant Principal Larry Parton.

Parton is among the Ferris staff that will determine if boys will be included next year.

“It hasn’t been decided yet,” said Parton. “We have to look at the overall picture - if it’s worth it, or maybe if it was an experiment we need to let go.”

The decision will be made in the next few weeks, he said.

Cheerleader Mike Robinson said he knows it was an experiment - but it was one he feels succeeded.

“It brought a whole bunch to the school, spirit-wise,” said Robinson, a senior. “It got rowdier than I remember it being.

“I’ve heard of guys who want to do it next year.”

If there is a next year.

“I’m going to push it,” said Walther. “I’m not one to take no very easily.”