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EDITOR'S NOTE: Whitney Jones was the Week 9 winner in this year's College Cheerleader of the Week contest. Look for her in about a week when all the weekly winners face off in a playoff tournament that will decide the College Cheerleader of the Year.
Whitney Jones
Senior, exercise in science with emphasis in scientific foundation
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
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| South Carolina's Whitney Jones. (US Presswire) |
Jones: "Probably the Sweet Carolina girls and how we get dressed up for football games. And probably the football traditions and tailgating experience."
SPiN: How long have you been cheerleading?
Jones: "About nine to 10 years. I was selected as a mascot in first grade for the local high school (Dutch Fork High School) during football and basketball games, then I started cheering in seventh grade."
SPiN: What's the best thing about cheerleading?
Jones: "Just representing your university, getting the crowd involved and seeing what you can bring to the school as far as how you represent USC. We do appearances on the side (Gamecock Club), like community volunteering at hospitals to visit terminally ill patients. To see them happy will light up your day."
SPiN: What's the hardest thing about cheerleading?
Jones: "You've got to be able to stunt, cheer and be in good physical shape to do what we do year-long, not only on the sideline, but also competitively. It's becoming more of a sport than what people realize."
SPiN: What's the most irritating cheerleader stereotype?
Jones: "Definitely overcoming the stereotypical cheerleader -- the cute girl on the sideline with short skirts. Cheerleading is a year-long (activity). We do volleyball games, men's soccer, men's and women's basketball, football and many, many (community) appearances in addition to our own competitive season, the NCA Nationals in Daytona, Fla. We do more than what people see us do, a lot of behind the scenes work."
SPiN: Do you plan on cheerleading as a profession after college?
Jones: "I've thought about it, to be honest, but I want to pursue a medical career. I'm going to be involved in the pharmaceutical field and what I've experienced as a cheerleader will help me in my future pursuits."
SPiN: What's your favorite movie/TV show about cheerleaders?
Jones: "Heroes with Hayden Panettiere. My family watches it together. Other cheerleading movies like Bring It On just presents the stereotypical cheerleader."
SPiN: If Hollywood made a cheerleading movie and you were the star, what actress would play you?
Jones: "Probably Jessica Alba. I think she's beautiful. She's good at what she does and she's a well-rounded person. She'll be a good all-around contribution to the part."
SPiN: Who's the best looking athlete in sports and why?
Jones: "My boyfriend is going to kill me -- I personally think Tom Brady is the best looking. (Laughs.) I'm attracted to his look -- (he's) tall, dark and athletic. That's what my boyfriend is like, too. I watched the press conference after his last win, the way how he dictated his response was very professional."
SPiN: What's the most difficult routine you've done as a cheerleader?
Jones: "In high school, we were state champions four years in a row; senior year was the most memorable."
SPiN: Who's the most famous person you've met?
Jones: "Ric Flair is always on the sidelines in our games and we got to sit in Big & Rich's bus before a game."
SPiN: What's your favorite cheer to fire up the home crowd in a close game?
Jones: "Definitely the big 'Gamecock' cheer, where one side of the crowd yells 'Game' and the other side yells 'Cocks.'"
SPiN: Why should our readers vote for you?
Jones: "I believe that I'm more than just a college cheerleader. While that's great in itself, I think I'm well-rounded -- you can take me fishing on Saturday or go four-wheeling, or even just have a stay-in with the girls on Saturday night -- I'm down to earth but I like to have a good time, too. I think I'm more than the girl with a skirt on the sidelines and I feel that I represent my university well."
| College Cheerleader of the Week Archive | ||||
| Regular season: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Playoffs: First round | Quarterfinals | Semis | National Title | Offseason: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6
Profiles: Arkansas' Laura Cole | Miami (Ohio)'s Megan Schwieterman | LSU's Katherine Whitty | Minnesota's Megan Jokinen | S. Carolina's Whitney Jones | Miami's Christina DeMaria | Mississippi State's Kylie Estes |
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