Clendenin becomes one of SIU's newest Saluki cheerleaders

<span>CARBONDALE -- Chester High School senior Rachel Clendenin will be leading cheers at Southern Illinois University beginning this fall.</span>

<span>Clendenin, who is the daughter of Troy and Connie Clendenin of Rockwood, was selected as a 2015-2016 SIU Saluki cheerleader after trying out Friday and Saturday April 10 and 11.</span>

<span>Interested Saluki cheerleader candidates met at SIU Davies Gymnasium Saturday, April 4, to meet SIU Cheer Coach Neva Corn and several of the veteran SIU Cheerleaders. The group also had a long workout so cheer staff could see what the potential newcomers had to offer. </span>

<span>Candidates had to demonstrate tumbling skills as well as various other athletic and cheer skills during the workout. </span>

<span>"We had a good group of candidates show up for the pre-tryout work day," Corn said. "Some were naturally better than others, but everyone worked hard and prepared for the official tryouts which were held Friday and Saturday April 10-11."</span>

<span>"I was nervous and didn't know how I would stack-up against the veteran SIU cheerleaders and other candidates," Clendenin added. "Sometimes I don't think I have the same tumbling skills as the other girls, but I did my best at workouts and got to meet a lot of great fellow candidates and current SIU Cheerleaders."</span>

<span>Clendenin has been a CHS Yellow Jacket cheerleader for four years and as a CHS Lady Yellow Jacket track athlete, Clendenin is in good condition.</span>

<span>"Rachel declared cheerleading as her primary sport this year at CHS, so I was confident that she was really dedicated and serious about wanting to be a college cheerleader next year," said former Chester High School cheerleading coach Rachel Ranta-Marshall. "I had confidence in her and was sure she would make the SIU squad."</span>

<span>The tryouts were held at Davies Gym. For the tryout, cheer candidates had to tumble, learn SIU cheer routines, demonstrate athleticism and memorize the SIU school songs and fight songs.</span>

<span>"I was really nervous about learning how to sing the SIU fight song in front of all of the other cheer candidates and coaches, but it came to me and I apparently did all right," Clendenin said. "The whole process was nerve-racking, but I am glad I decided to try out. It was a great experience."</span>

<span>Clendenin received a text about an hour after the tryouts concluded notifying her that she had been selected as a cheerleader for the 2015-2016 school year.</span>

<span>"I am very excited to have Rachel as a new cheerleader next fall," Corn said. "She impressed me both with her cheer skills, but also by the fact that she is so active at Chester High School.</span>

<span>"She was willing to come down to SIU and go through the workouts and tryouts. That takes guts. Her personality should fit in really well here at SIU and I am sure she will be a great asset to our squad."</span>

<span>Clendenin will graduate from CHS in May and will soon begin working out with the SIU Cheerleaders. The SIU cheer squad will hold another tryout in June and then a small tryout in August after new students arrive on campus. </span>

<span>Clendenin will debut on the Saluki Stadium football field for SIU games this fall.</span>