More Than 600 Audition to be Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

The cheerleading dreams of a couple hundred young women have been dashed.

More than 600 auditioned Saturday for a chance to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, but only about half will make it to the next round.

"My goal today is just to do my very best and to know that I did my very best," said Nina Perez, an auditioner from Dallas.

That's about all you can do when you're up against such stiff competition from hundreds of hopefuls.

"I made it to training camp last year and was cut," said Ashley Kelly, of Belton. "I have been training almost every day now for three years, and I still haven't made the squad, so it's a huge commitment for me and my family."

And it's not just about dancing.

"There's tanning involved, primping, curling," Perez said, showing her bag of supplies. "Plenty of different eyeshadows. I have two different kinds of hairsprays."

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Those chosen will have these traits in common: the moves, the personality and the smile. But the judges also are looking for diversity in skin color, hair color and looks.

"There are so many of us girls that put in so many months and nights and long weekends and dedicate really to this one day," Destine Grobe, of McKinney, said.

They get just a few precious seconds on the dance floor to leave a lasting impression.

"The floor was a little slippery, so that was a little scary," said Caylen Fields, of Corsicana.

"I felt like the music went on forever. That's what I was thinking," said Lauren Gibler, of Santa Barbara, Calif.

"I was very nervous, and you can only think of so much to do, so I hope I did really well," said Ashley Reynolds, of San Angelo.

As far as what music will be played, "You have no clue, so you just have to hold your position, you know, for the first couple counts," said Kenley Minchew, of Baton Rouge. "And you're like, 'OK,' and go."

All the women can hope for is that the judges will be impressed enough to send them to the next round of auditions. The ladies who made the cut will move on to the semifinals. Those who make it past that round advance to the interview. The finals and a written test about football and dance are after that, and then, finally, to training camp.

Saturday's auditions were the first in the new stadium.

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