K-State’s cheer team is part of the athletics department’s Cheer & Mascot program. It’s one team made up of both all-girl and co-ed stunt groups, with members from across Kansas and around the country. The 2026 tryouts were held in March at Bramlage Coliseum, and K-State published a detailed packet for them. Everything below comes from the official 2026 Tryout Packet. K-State hadn’t posted 2027 tryout dates or a new packet when this guide was last checked on September 29, 2026, so treat the dates and deadlines below as the 2026 cycle and confirm the details once the new packet is out.
Tryout Weekend
The 2026 tryouts ran on March 28–29.
- Saturday morning — open gym. Optional, but you had to register.
- Saturday afternoon — preliminaries. Warm-up, practice in stunt groups, then judging panels for stunting and the Wabash Cannonball. Finals invitations were posted that evening.
- Sunday — finals (invite only). Judging panels for the fight song, tumbling, chant and an interview, followed by stunting. Be ready to stunt in several groups.
- Team offers were emailed the following Tuesday.
Paperwork and Cost
- Tryout application (due March 26 in 2026). It includes a waiver, a letter of recommendation from a coach and a photo of yourself.
- A 30-day medical form and copies of your medical insurance cards. K-State sends the link for these separately.
- A $25 tryout fee, paid through a separate link on the tryout page. The fee is waived for current K-State cheerleaders.
Skill Requirements
Game-day material
All candidates must know the Fight Song, the Wabash Cannonball and the Chant. They’re posted online, and K-State won’t teach them at tryouts. Poms and megaphones are provided.
Stunting
You choose one sequence to be judged on. You may be in more than one stunt group, and outside athletes can’t help demonstrate.
| Coed options | Group options |
|---|---|
| 1. Toss hands, press extension, pop off | 1. Full up to 2 feet, press to body position, pop down |
| 2. Toss hands, press to lib, pop off | 2. Low to high switch, press to body position, twisting dismount |
| 3. Toss lib or target, pull body position, full down or carrot down | 3. Full up to 1 foot, mid or high full around to 1 or 2 feet, twisting or flipping dismount |
| 4. Full up to target or inversion to target, double down or flipping dismount | 4. Inverted stunt to 2 feet, press to body position (or straight to body position), double down |
K-State says it’s looking for “technically sound, versatile stunters who have an athletic presence and show potential for growth.”
Jumps
A toe touch, a connected triple jump of your choice, and a jump to tumbling.
Tumbling
- You’re judged on one standing skill or pass and one running pass.
- Perform your most difficult pass that you’re still confident in. You’ll be expected to keep performing it during the season.
- No spotters are allowed.
Can’t Make It? Video Tryouts
If a cheer competition or another event conflicts with live tryouts, K-State accepts a video tryout, with proof of the conflicting event’s date. The 2026 rules were:
- Send a YouTube link to the head coach by March 26.
- Complete the application and pay the fee by the same date.
- In the video, include:
- An introduction with your stunt position.
- One stunt sequence.
- One running and one standing tumbling pass, on a dead mat with no spotter.
- Your jumps.
- The Wabash Cannonball, Fight Song and Chant.
K-State still “highly recommends” attending live if you can.
Cost, Benefits and Commitment
- Gear is covered. K-State says everything for the game-day season is provided “from bow to toe”: uniforms, practice clothes, shoes and accessories. Travel for away football games, appearances and postseason tournaments is also covered.
- Nationals involves fundraising. Athletes chosen to compete at NCA College Nationals must fundraise.
- Benefits: a strength and conditioning coach, a sports medicine trainer at every practice, travel with select members to every away football game, and yearly awards including a letter jacket and a senior ring. K-State also lists scholarship opportunities.
- Commitment: expect practices, weightlifting, appearances, fundraisers and games during school breaks. K-State says that if you can’t commit to a full season, you shouldn’t try out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is K-State cheer coed or all-girl? Both. K-State fields one team made up of all-girl and co-ed stunt groups.
How much does it cost to try out? $25 in 2026, waived for current K-State cheerleaders.
Can I send a video instead? Only if a competition or other event conflicts with tryouts, and you’ll need to provide proof of the date.
Do I need a recommendation letter? Yes. The application requires a letter of recommendation from a coach.
Who do I contact? Mary Spilski, Head Cheer and Mascot Coach: mspilski@kstatesports.com or (785) 532-7983.
Related Resources
- University of Kansas Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- Big 12 Cheer Tryout Guides
- How to Improve Your Cheerleading Jump Height
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: Kansas State University Athletics, Cheer & Mascot and Tryouts page (2026 dates, registration, contact) and the 2026 Tryout Packet. Last checked September 29, 2026.
One thought on “Kansas State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide”