Listening to my coaches, listening to my teammates, and listening to my heart. Cheerleading for me really is all about that base.

My name is Kendra Evelsizer, and I'm on the all-girl cheer team at the University of South Carolina. Coming up on my third year of college has allowed me to reflect on my cheerleading career and understand how important every experience has been to my life, more specifically, my position on the team as a main base. Being the foundation of a stunt forces me to indulge in every opportunity to learn, be the constant support physically and mentally for my group, and have the strong mindset that every cheerleader should possess. 



My history with basing has had its challenges and its victories. I began my cheerleading career in middle school as secondary base, and it wasn't until my first year of college that I was given the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a main base as well. To start, my all-star cheerleading career was short and so very sweet. Going into my junior year of high school, I did what every cheerleader aspires to do and achieved one of many dreams that once seemed out of reach. I cheered for Cheer Extreme Senior Elite and earned a World Championship in 2013. In the midst of an indescribable year, I soon realized that although I was more than content with my cheerleading achievements thus far, there was just one more thing I had to do to feel complete. I wanted to be a cheerleader for the greatest university in the nation: the University of South Carolina. 


For as long as I can remember, butterflies danced in my stomach at the very thought of wearing that beautiful garnet and black uniform. After many months of preparation, I completed my tryout and the hard work paid off for me as it did for all of my new teammates and my brand new family. 

This brings me to how much responsibility comes with being the foundation, support, and attitude of a stunt group. I remember not long ago when I took the mat to compete in the all-girl Top Gun stunt competition at NCA Camp. My stunt group possessed a sense of nervousness, yet confidence. This was a time when I knew that being a base meant for me to step up and set a standard for the rest of my group and team. I strived to show confidence, strength, technique, and so many more attributes that bases have. In the end, my stunt came together and put on the performance we knew we could and received first place in our division. This experience gave me a feeling that every base has felt, a satisfaction that cannot be matched. 



With the pride of being a base also comes challenges. My journey has not always been a walk in the park, a series of dreams come true with no setbacks, or anything achieved without hard work. Learning a new position challenged me in ways I had never been challenged before. The best advice I would give myself looking back would be that there is nothing more important than listening. Listening to my coaches, listening to my teammates, and listening to my heart. Cheerleading for me really is "all about that base."