CHANDLER WATTS
Cheerleader
“Originally, from Tallahassee, I am currently a Troy University coed cheerleader, and upperclassman business major. Before I cheered, I spent the last 15 years of my life as a gymnast. I trained 5 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week at Trousdell Gymnastics Center, under Head Coach Mike Body. We conditioned every day with the normal 4 rope climbs, 20 to 30 leg lifts, squats, presses and more, focusing on every part of the body. With the strenuous amounts of stretching and conditioning, it was very important to eat healthy and to drink a lot of water. My dream was to be a gymnast at Auburn University. That dream became reality when I committed to Auburn my junior year of high school. With injuries and other complications, I made the choice to decommit, which was one of the hardest decisions of my life. Troy University became my new home. Freshman year, I knew something was missing. I had not gone a week without gymnastics since I was 3, and I missed training and competing. I decided in February of 2015, to start preparation to be a part of the Troy cheerleading team. I had never cheered a day in my life, but I knew it would be something I could enjoy. After trying out for the team, I got the amazing opportunity to be a flyer for Troy University. I had no idea I would love anything as much as I loved gymnastics. Troy Cheer has changed my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful.”
tallahassee woman • februar y/march 2016 26