Penn State New Kensington's competitive cheerleading team, which in April won its first national championship, begins its quest for a second title with open tryouts from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18, in the campus Field House. 

Second-year head coach Jenn McAfee is looking for students with athletic ability and competitive spirit to fill out the 20-member coed squad. At the finals in Columbus, Ohio, McAfee's squad performed an almost flawless series of the jumps, dance and cheer routines to defeat Marietta (Ohio) University for the championship of the College Coed division.

Performance requirements for the tryouts include two jumps, demonstration of tumbling skills (handspring not mandatory but recommended) and ability to perform stunts. Candidates for the cheerleading team will be taught basic maneuvers and must execute two simple cheers. Dance prowess is not mandatory at this time.

New Kensington students who are chosen for the squad are required to attend the two-day preseason cheerleading camp, Aug. 9-10, at Robert Morris University. The team performs at all men's and women’s basketball games as well as special events on campus. There are four competitions including the Penn State University Athletic Conference championships at University Park.

For more information on the cheerleading team, contact McAfee at (412) 855-9703 or jam877@psu.edu.

For more on the cheerleading season, visit www.nk.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/28490.htm?cn25 online.