The mostly-women athletes, who rarely get face time during televised events, are suddenly dominating March Madness discourse--but not for their talent.
But Cerny is still wrapping her head around the fact that so many people, including an NCAA tournament broadcaster, had named her an unlikely hero over a relatively basic cheerleading skill in the first place. “Once I realized how big it had gotten, it definitely was like, ‘Wow, people are actually impressed by this?’” she said. “It’s crazy because that hands extension is something that we do every single day.
And yet, a mere glimmer of what these college athletes are really capable of has sent brands and viewers spiraling in a tizzy, seemingly shocked that the cheerleaders, often working entirely in support of their fellow university athletes, are actually talented…and useful, at that. The explosion of excitement now being extended to Cerny and her cheerleading teammates is, of course, heartwarming beyond belief.