Cheer: Former UT Cheerleader Reflects on the Netflix Docuseries

Since it was released on Netflix in January, Cheer has become one of the most talked-about shows. There are so many pieces to this six-part docuseries, which highlights the competitive cheerleading program at Navarro, a community college in Corsicana, TX. There’s the harsh truth that with cheerleading comes the opportunity for serious injury. There’s the heart-wrenching backstories of characters like Wyoming-native Morgan Simianer and fan-favorite Jerry Harris, two Navarro College cheerleaders who show how a coach like Monica Aldama can change the course of students’ lives. 

To better understand the world of competitive cheerleading, I chatted about the show with Jennifer Welker, 36, former UT cheerleader and a 2001 graduate of Second Baptist School. Note: There's a spoiler, so read on at your own risk if you haven’t binged the show yet! 

Jennifer Welker (fifth from left) and her teammates reunited at the 2018 Texas Cheer Alumni Weekend. 

Tell me about your background in cheerleading. 

I was born and raised in Houston and was a gymnast my whole life. When I ended up quitting – I had gotten really burnt out because it was a really elite level – it just seemed like cheerleading was the most natural progression into something similar but different. I have an upbeat personality and I thought I could learn the other aspects of it. 

When did you make that switch from gymnastics to cheerleading? 

I quit gymnastics at the end of middle school. And then I did competitive cheer with Texas Lone Star Cheer. I was recruited to the UT cheerleading program and did that all the way through [2001-2005]. 

What did it feel like for you to watch a television series all about the sport you participated in? 

I was so excited to see it. Cheerleading is something I’ve loved for so many years, and it was great to see it portrayed in a positive light. I used to say I’m a UT cheerleader, and people would laugh. Like, ‘Okay, that’s just because you used to have a good smile.’ That was the old school way of thinking. I would just let it go. But I feel like this show is empowering women and people to say this takes a lot of really high-level skills. 

Did you binge-watch the six episodes or pace yourself? 

Oh yes, I binge-watched. I could not put it down. It was funny to hear my friends who were not cheerleaders watch it and say, ‘Oh my god. I did not realize this is what went into cheerleading.’ It’s as cutthroat as a football program. The Navarro girls are so good, and I have so much respect for them. 

I’m wondering, was the experience of the Navarro girls similar to your experience as a UT cheerleader? 

It was very similar. Watching the behind the scenes of what it looks like to make a really amazing cheer program – there’s really a lot that goes into it. I have a lot of respect for Monica. 

What was your typical schedule like when you were in college? Did you practice every day? 

It’s insane. You give up so much of your college life for this just like a football player does. We were working out multiple hours in the morning. I’d be getting up at 4:30 in the morning and girls were just coming home from going out the night before. I was in a sorority, and I had a hard time. That [the sorority] was not my life. Your family was your team and that was who you spent hours and hours with. It’s a full-time job but you’re not getting paid for it. 

The Netflix docuseries Cheer highlights the cheerleading program at Navarro College in Corsicana, TX.  (Photo courtesy of Netflix) 

One of the things I learned in the show was how dangerous cheerleading is and how common serious injuries are. Did you think about that as a cheerleader? 

The dangers are crazy. I know people who had multiple concussions. Thankfully, I didn’t have any injuries. I fell many times though, and nobody is to blame. You’re being thrown up higher than most homes. You just have to have no fear and really trust your teammates. Otherwise, you won’t be successful. 

We talk a lot about concussions and injuries in football, and we see that leading to changes. A lot of youth recreational leagues are moving away from tackle football, for example. Do you think we’ll see parallel changes in cheerleading? 

The sport has really progressed so fast. I think it’ll get to a place where it’ll be more regulated. I do feel like, in all of the scenarios, you’re never in a reckless situation. Everybody is there spotting or catching. No one is having you do things that are reckless. If people are, that’s not okay.

*Spoiler alert*

I’m thinking of that one part of Cheer where Morgan had to go to the hospital because she potentially broke her ribs, but then she ended up ignoring the doctor’s recommendations to rest and instead kept practicing. What did you think when you were seeing that?  

Morgan was sort of an underdog. I was for her. I was like her. And then she gets her chance at mat, and she gets hurt. She made a decision, and she was okay. There were girls way better than me, and they would’ve taken my spot in a heartbeat if I were injured. You have to just make those decisions. I think it’s so important to have wise council on site. I do feel like Monica is like a mother to these girls. She really did care about their safety, and yes, I think Morgan had that choice to make, but I don’t feel like they were putting her in dangerous territory. You kind of know what you’re getting into.

Jennifer Welker brought her family to the 2016 Texas Cheer Alumni Weekend. She’s pictured here with her husband Ellis Welker and two of her kids, Noah and McKenzie. 

Did you have any other favorite characters on the show? 

I loved Jerry. Who couldn’t? Talk about a good teammate. I was just so impressed by his spirit and what he had overcome in his personal life to be the light of the team, and not necessarily [the] best one. Some people quit when they don’t make mat, but he is there for the team. That’s the spirit of cheerleading – being for one another. I feel like that’s how we were. That’s a healthy program. Healthy competition is really beautiful to watch. I feel like our team was really like that, so it brought back a lot of memories. 

Do you have your own kids who are cheering? 

I’m a mom of four kids, two boys and two girls. My 7-year-old daughter is into gymnastics classes. She is at Houston Elite Cheer, so she is learning the basics so that if she wants to do this, she’s ready. I would not push her into it. You have to really, really want to do it and be okay with all of the criticism, rejection, pressure. It’s not for the faint of heart.