The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The East Regional is taking place in Washington, DC this weekend and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is all over it and covering all of the angles so you can look forward to a cascade of coverage in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage by chatting with Virginia Tech HighTechs senior captain Becky Krashin about the Duke-UNC rivalry and her prediction for tonight.
What is the atmosphere like at Virginia Tech this week now that you are in the Sweet 16? The atmosphere is exciting back in Blacksburg. It has been the talk around campus and everyone is ready for game day!
How did you 1st get into cheerleading/dancing, and what is the best part? I began dancing around the age of two or three and have not stopped since. My mom put me in ballet and tap classes to start and eventually I worked up to jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, pom, and kick. My favorite part is the lasting relationships that I have made with my old dance friends and current teammates.
Will we see your group doing anything extra-special for the NCAA tourney this weekend? The NCAA tournament is also more than just cheering on our basketball team. While in San Jose last weekend for the 1st 2 rounds we visited a local elementary school where a VT alumni was a teacher. We taught the students our traditions like stadium yell, sideline cheers, and read them a few books. It was an awesome experience to interact with members of the community in California. This weekend we look forward to cheering on the team as well as interacting with our fans!
What do you think the role of a college cheerleader is today, and how has it changed over time? The world of college cheerleading and dancing has definitely changed over time. Now, games are just a part of what we do. With national competitions and multiple sports that have room for us on the sideline (like wrestling and volleyball) we have many opportunities to do what we love.
How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what does it mean to you to see your group doing their thing in front of a national TV audience? It is more than the national TV audience: it is about the incredible atmosphere of supporting the team at the tournament level. It is always exciting to get on TV but having the opportunity to cheer on our guys in person is what I am most looking forward to.
Do you think that you will have a bit of a home-court advantage since DC is only 4 hours away from Blacksburg? Hokie fans always travel well so we are excited to see them this weekend. DC is also an area full of current students and alumni so we are hoping for an exciting crowd!
What has been your favorite moment so far this season: beating Purdue, beating Duke, Senior Night, other? Senior night was really special but beating Duke was by far one of my favorite moments as a college dancer. The energy and enthusiasm that Hokie fans bring is truly undeniable and their presence at the Duke game was just amazing.
What is your school’s policy on player-cheerleader dating? Although there is not a defined rule we are just friends and classmates with the players like we are with many of the other student-athletes at Virginia Tech.
Any predictions for Friday night? It should be an exciting and high energy game and we cannot wait to cheer on our Hokies!