Cyclone fans will see several new faces on the Iowa State pom squad next fall.

During the annual pom squad tryouts, held on March 28 at the Forker building, 10 new members were chosen as part of the 15-member squad. Three of the 15 members are alternates.

A week-long clinic was held in preparation for the tryouts. Initially, about 70 women tried out for the pom squad, said Chris Stuckey, spirit squad coordinator.

After the first round of cuts, 39 women remained. During the remainder of the clinic, the past squad members and the remaining 39 women learned a dance, fight song and a band cheer that would be performed for the final cuts.

Stuckey said criteria for making the final cut included a minimum 2.0 grade point average, technical ability, dance moves, poise, appearance and how the person trying out performed under pressure. He said “technique and execution” were very important factors.

Emily Erusha, co-captain of the pom squad and sophomore in marketing, said this year’s squad has a wide range of background experiences which will provide the squad with a lot of possibilities in its routines.

One goal for the pom squad is “to set a good example for ISU and to represent the university and the athletic teams well,” Erusha said.

The pom squad performs at the halftime shows for the ISU basketball games. They also do sideline dances while the band plays at football and basketball games.

Pom routines are also performed for pep rallies, area high school pom clinics, Cyclone Club meetings and the Big 12 tournament.

According to Erusha, “practice never ends.” Training begins with a camp in August and continues until the end of basketball season.

Joanna Mangold, co-captain of the pom squad and junior in biology, said one reason she joined the squad was to continue the dance and cheerleading she did in high school at a higher level.

Being on the pom squad is “both frustrating and exciting,” Mangold said. “It’s frustrating because we don’t always get recognized for our hard work.”

The “dumb blonde stereotype” also adds to this frustration, Mangold said.

She said it is exciting to be on the sidelines during games, and she enjoys traveling with the squad.

The squad members have 15 hours of mandatory practice per week and are only excused for academic reasons such as tests or review sessions, Mangold said.

Upcoming activities include being in the Veishea parade and performing at the Taste of Veishea stage.

The pom squad, along with the mascots and the cheer squad, will be holding a fund-raiser to pay for the squads’ needs during the year.