Toronto Sun

Gian was thrilled to get the chance to cheer on the sidelines for the Double Blue for the third year in a row.

She was one of 33 girls out of 60 finalists chosen on Saturday to make up the 2010 Toronto Argonauts Cheerleading Squad.

“It is just an amazing experience. It has made me more outgoing and I have made great friends and have had opportunities cheerleading that I wouldn’t have had,” said Gian, who is a criminal defence lawyer in New York State and now clerking in Toronto to get her lawyer’s licence here.

“We practice two times a week and we have our work we do in the community, so it is a huge commitment and you need some serious time management skills.”

To gain a spot on the squad the girls were interviewed by a panel of judges, and performed a dance routine.

The judges asked Sarah during the audition what position she would play if she was on the football team.

“I would be the injured one cheering them on from the sidelines, because that is what I do best,” she said.

The interviews are done to see if the girls are a good fit to have on the squad, Argo spokesman Beth Waldman said.

“When it comes to dancing the judges expect perfection. It is a lot of fun. The girls make good friends trying to make the team. There is a real sisterhood and some of these girls will go on to become fan favourites,” Waldman said.

Craig Gordon came out to support his friend trying for a spot on the team.

“She has been nervous over the last week and I just wanted to be a friendly face in the crowd for her. Seeing all the girls is an extra bonus,” he said.

Melissa had been a veteran on the squad.

“I danced on the team last year and I’m here to watch and support my friends. I did it for three years, but I am married now and the team was too much of a commitment. It was a hard decision, but I had to move on,” Melissa said.

The winning girls were given a blue rose and an Argo shirt and then gathered for group pictures.

kevin.connor@sunmedia.ca