Michelle Webb NewsChannel36 Associate Producer

My day started at 1:30 in the morning Sunday. I had to be at work by 2:30 for my shift at WCNC. All day I was only thinking about the tryouts and having to stand in front of those judges. I couldn't eat or drink anything. To say my nerves were getting the best of me is an understatement. I've tried out for a team every year since I was 16-years-old and it never seems to get any easier-especially when you have been turned down from a team. But as soon as I got to Time Warner Cable arena I knew it would be smooth sailing from there.

Then came the sweat part. We learned a short, jazz style routine taught by the coach. All 100 plus ladies dancing together on the arena floor-all for the same goal. It was great to feel like this could be the beginning of a dream. We were broken up into groups of eight and performed the routine twice in front of the judges. Then came the most nerve racking experience to date in my dancing career. We had to stand there in front of the judges as the votes were being tallied. Once tallied, the numbers of those advancing to the next round were called out - and those who didn't hear their numbers were sent home - right then. I had been smiling so much my lips were quivering. Then I heard my number: "Number 137".

A quick break to freshen up our make up and hair - then it was time to meet the vets. The returning Lady Cats came back to claim their spots. And I can attest that they wanted their spots back.

The next routine was a more hip-hop style dance - not my forte. But my motto is just pretend you know what you are doing. The groups were smaller this time - only groups of six. You can't hide in a group of six. And I was positioned right in front of what could be my future coach. I got up in front of those judges thinking I was prepared. Then I forgot the first three moves. Thankfully I redeemed myself the second time around.

Next was the most grueling two hours of my life. We waited as the judges deliberated, and deliberated. When they had made their decision on who would be joining them in the next three days into boot camp- we had to line up in a semi circle on the court. Then one by one 32 names were called. It was down to the final two names ... and in a very anti-movie fashion ... my name wasn't called. I stood there with the remaining 20 ladies and watched as those deserving women moved one step closer to being a Lady Cat. This is where the tears came in.

But life as a professional cheerleader isn't over for me yet. I've still got time to get those orange boots. In the meantime, I'll return to my life as a dancer for the Checkers and spend the next 365 days working on my next goal. Until then I'll continue to answer my favorite question about being a Checkmate, "Do you guys really dance on the ice?" (And the answer is yes, we really do dance on the ice.)

3 Comments

Monique said:

Best of luck to you!

August 7, 2008 1:13 PM

Amanda said:

Hi Michelle-

Congratulations and good luck this Sunday!

Cheers~
Amanda

August 7, 2008 3:09 PM

Nick Gillock said:

You'll do great, go win it!

August 7, 2008 11:18 PM

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