Tryout season is HERE—and if you're a cheer parent, you already feel the stress.

In this solo episode of Here 4 Cheer, Megan breaks down the reality behind placements, levels, and the pressure that takes over this time of year. From Nashville competitions to NCA College Nationals, to the chaos of tryouts… this is the honest conversation a lot of parents need—but don’t always hear.

This episode covers:

• Why placements don’t define your athlete
• The biggest mistake parents make during tryout season
• What gym owners are REALLY thinking when building teams
• Why “level chasing” can actually hurt your athlete
• How to support your child (without stealing their joy)
• What actually matters for long-term success in cheer

If your athlete is going through tryouts—or you’re stressing about where they’ll land—this episode will shift your perspective.

💬 Drop a comment: What’s the hardest part of tryout season for you?

👍 Like & subscribe for more real talk from the cheer world.

#Cheerleading #CheerTryouts #AllStarCheer #CheerParents #Here4Cheer

Welcome to another episode of the Here for Cheer podcast with host Megan Gomarlo! Today, we are joined by Meredith Kidd, a retired cheer coach of over 20 years, a varsity judge, and the founder of Kidd Collegiate Consulting.

Whether you're a coach trying to maximize your Game Day score, or a parent navigating the stressful college admissions process, this episode has something for you! Meredith shares her incredible journey from rebuilding the program at South High School to judging massive events like UIL and Daytona. She also dives deep into what it takes to get high school athletes ready for college.

In this episode, we discuss:

College Admissions Secrets: Meredith breaks down why SAT and ACT testing is making a comeback and how students need to strategically plan their high school classes.

Community Service That Counts: We discuss why meaningful volunteering, like working in healthcare or helping at kids' cheer camps, matters much more than just logging random service hours.

Coaching Burnout: Discover the real reason many high school coaches are leaving the sport and learn how parents can be better advocates and supporters.

What Judges Want: Get a judge's perspective on Game Day routines, including the proper way to utilize tools like flags, signs, and rally towels.

Connect with Meredith Kidd:

• Website: Visit kidcollegiateconsulting.org to book a free 30-minute consultation!

• Team Sessions: Meredith offers specific virtual sessions for cheer and dance teams, as well as help for coaches to decipher judges' comments.

• Instagram: Follow along for more tips and to get your brain thinking about the college process.

#Cheerleading #CheerCoach #CollegePrep #CheerJudge #CollegeAdmissions #GameDayCheer #StudentAthlete #HighSchoolCheer #CheerMom #CheerLife #CollegeConsulting #ScholarshipTips #VarsityCheer #Ucheer #HereForCheer #CollegeBound #SATprep #AthleteLife #SpiritPrograms #CoachingLife

What does it actually take to build a national championship program… from the ground up?

In this episode of Here 4 Cheer, University of New Hampshire Head Coach Scott Rigoli shares the full story behind one of college cheer’s most impressive rises — from taking over a program with no expectations to winning a national title in year one.

He walks through the moment they thought they placed 4th… only to be crowned champions — and how that shock win sparked a culture that continues to grow today.

But this episode goes deeper than one moment.

Scott breaks down:

• How he transitioned from youth, high school, and all-star cheer into college coaching
• What it really takes to build (and rebuild) a program
• The evolution of recruiting — from “skills first” to culture-first
• How UNH became a destination for athletes who once felt they had to leave New England
• Why buy-in, work ethic, and love for the sport matter more than talent alone
• The reality of coaching — leadership, adversity, and long-term vision

This is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone trying to build something meaningful — on or off the mat.

Hosted by Megan Gomarlo

#cheerleading #collegecheer #unhcheer #cheernation #ncanationals #daytona #cheercoach #allstarcheer #cheerpodcast #cheertok #unh #newhampshire