Eastern Wayne's Dean signs to cheer at N.C. Wesleyan

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 22, 2016 1:47 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Alicia Dean seemed content in the tumbling world.

Roundoffs, cartwheels, layouts, back flips -- she executed the tactics with precision.

But something else existed within her tiny frame.

And Carlos Martin noticed it.

Dean had the necessary tools to compete on a high-level cheerleading team and he talked to her about joining the squad one afternoon at Carolina Elite Gym.

Dean shrugged him off.

"I didn't want to do it," she laughed.

Martin didn't give up.

Each time Dean appeared at the gym, he'd walk over and drop subtle hints. At the same time, she began to observe how much her sister, Alexis, liked the sport.

"Finally, he was like 'I want you on the team because you can be a good asset to the team,'" Dean said. "I did it. I can't tell you one thing that I don't like about it. I loved that as soon as I walked into the gym everyone accepted me.

"Once you're on the team, it's like a family."

It's opened up a world Dean never knew existed.

Practices are structured, but rigid and repetitive. The group hones their tumbling skills once a week, runs 10 to 12 laps which helps with endurance and practices between two to four days a week depending on their competition schedule.

A normal routine lasts 21/2 minutes.

Carter and Martin push the team to sell the dance and stunt-filled routine to the judges who scrutinize every move and how well the squad transitions in unison on the floor.

"You're really nervous, but you have to be confident in yourself," Dean said. "You know that you're going to hit the routine and leave it all on the floor, and when you do that, it's the best feeling in the world."

Well, one of the best.

Dean experienced another feel-good moment Friday afternoon. With her parents, sister and Carolina Elite coaches present, the Eastern Wayne senior signed to cheer at North Carolina Wesleyan College this fall.

"My cheer coach, Alexis (Carter), and Carlos ... they have made me the cheerleader I am today," said Dean, who plans to major in psychology/sociology, then become a physician's assistant.

"They have taught me all of my technique. They've pushed me to become a better cheerleader, a better friend, a better athlete -- just an all-around good person. There is nothing I could have done without them."

Dean caught the attention of the NCWC head coach Kayla Wygal the first time she visited Carolina Elite Gym. Wygal noticed Dean's discipline, how she interacted with her teammates and valued her skills.

Those are assets Wygal seeks as she works to reshape the culture of the NCWC program through her drive and competitive spirit. Her goal is to take the Battling Bishops to the National Cheerleading Association championships within the next two seasons.

"Her talent alone and her knowledge of the sport is really going to help us," Wygal said. "The way she interacts with other girls (and) I think having a sister helps. A family ... we're all in this together. My recruiting class is phenomenal this year and I think she will fit right in.

"I'm really excited about it."