By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Who would’ve ever thought that flipping off the back of her mother’s couch as a young girl would lead to a college scholarship for Ca’Lae Ervin?
The Union City High School senior recently told the humorous story of what she believes was the first indication of her abilities after signing a commitment to participate in competitive cheerleading at Middle Tennessee State University.
“Most girls start their formal training for something like this when they’re 3-to-5 years old, but I was 8 when I started,” Ervin smiled after making her future plans official in front of her family. “I think my mom finally decided to put me in cheer when I kept doing flips off the couch.”
Ervin received an invite to join the MTSU program that combines traditional cheerleading, tumbling, and STUNT skills and was offered a spot on the team by spirit coordinator Brooke Legens after attending a clinic/tryout in March. She will receive a scholarship, according to Legens, after summer training, and will be one of 26 girls on a squad that both performs at athletic events and vies in competitions against other Division 1-A schools.
Legens said the Blue Raider squad finished 12th in the nation last year.
In addition to cheerleading, the ever-active Ervin – who impressed Legens with her athleticism – has also been a standout athlete in volleyball and track at UCHS. She was a member of Lady Tornado volleyball teams that qualified for the state tournament in her junior and senior seasons, and also earned her way into the state pentathlon and several individual state track events the past two years.
Ca’Lae insisted that those extracurricular activities had gone hand in hand with her earning the opportunity to compete at the next level.
“I truly believe that all the sports combined have helped keep me in shape and taught me agility,” she said. “Strength training and core training are so important in everything, and I’ve maintained that year-round.
“And I can’t wait to be a college athlete.”
Ervin said her long-range plans and study path have her eyeing a career as a neonatal nurse.