Beggs High School senior Rowdy Tucker is one of what is a growing fraternity in the high school ranks- a male cheerleader in a female dominated activity. And his coach, Nichole Chesser, couldn’t be happier or prouder.
“Rowdy is our school’s first male cheerleader, has cheered for us all four years and is a part of our competitive and Game Day squads,” Chesser said. “This year he was named an All-State cheerleader and is our team captain. He’s a great leader for us by helping his teammates with motions and dances and even makes videos to show how it’s done, and he also helps out with our middle school cheerleaders.”
Tucker’s desire to get into cheer started when he was young as he was trying to figure out what to do as he got older.
“I really wasn’t into sports growing up but I saw cheerleaders perform and thought I’d like to do that,” Tucker said. “So I first taught myself how to tumble, and that sparked my desire to cheer even more. It took a while for me to convince my parents because I think they wanted to protect me from what other people might say or think about me as a male cheerleader. But they finally let me do it starting in the fifth grade and once I got the spark, I never let it go. Sure, I heard some of the negative things that were said but I never really let that hold me back.
“I think there’s a stereotype of male cheerleaders that has kept some guys from going all in with cheer and not doing the motions or certain routines, but I’ve always had the attitude that if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it all.”
Tucker, who is a back spot in stunts, says there are several aspects of cheer that he really enjoys.
“I like the chants and dances best as well as the competitions and Friday night football games,” said Tucker who got into competitive cheer last year and is also involved in FCA, Business Professionals of America and FFA.
While he doesn’t really have a role model, Tucker has become friends with Calvin Warren of Morris, who is also an All-State cheerleader, and they talk tumbling whenever they’re together. Rowdy will continue his cheer experience next year on a scholarship at Oklahoma City University.
