It’s not often that a cheerleader gets to don a football helmet too.
But that’s exactly what Lake Orion High School junior Whitney Clubine has had the opportunity to do, as she is on the varsity cheerleading squad and junior varsity football team this year.
Clubine, who played city league football in Orion for the Eagles for two years as an eighth and ninth grader, was first noticed by Orion’s junior varsity coach when she was in a field goal kicking contest with a Rochester Adams cheerleader during a recent football game halftime show.
‘The coach asked me to be the JV team’s kicker,? she said. ‘So now I have double practices pretty much every night.?
In addition to cheerleading and football, Clubine also finds time to play travel soccer. She said she doesn’t like sitting at home.
‘Between keeping up my grades (and sports), I don’t have time for much else,? Clubine said. ‘I just love being active…I don’t really watch TV.?
Clubine grew up ‘hanging out with all guys,? and said becoming a football player wasn’t much of a stretch for her.
‘I have a friend on Lake Orion’s varsity football team, Kellen Malstrom, and he told me I should play,? she said. ‘We have the same jersey number.?
Clubine said her parents have been supportive and excited about her decision to play high school football.
‘When I was younger, they were really excited because I was the same size (as the other players),? she said. ‘But they love it. My dad thinks it’s awesome.?
Clubine has also found a lot of support in her fellow varsity cheerleaders.
‘They think it’s awesome,? she said. ‘I love being athletic, and they know that. They come to watch the away games.?
As for her fellow junior varsity Dragon football players, Clubine knows a majority of them from the Eagles program.
‘They are super nice to me,? she said. ‘They treat me like one of the guys.?
Right now, Clubine said she has no preference between cheerleading and football.
‘Inside, I’m more tom boyish,? she said. ‘But I love cheerleading. I never thought I would be a cheerleader though.?
Clubine said Lake Orion varsity cheerleading coach Nancy de Avila has been encouraging, and was understanding when a varsity home football game (which the cheerleaders always cheer at) and her junior varsity game fell on the same day.
‘She told me to go to football,? Clubine said. ‘She’s very supportive.?
Clubine said she would love to move up to the varsity football team next year, but doesn’t expect it to happen.
‘They have a kicker right now, Dylan Van Fossen, who is amazing,? she said. ‘I wouldn’t mind being a back up though.?
A current typical day for Clubine includes school, then football practice until 6 p.m., followed by soccer practice until 8 p.m. On the days she doesn’t have football practice, Clubine has cheerleading.
‘On weekends, I’m either at gymnastics or a soccer game,? she said.
After she graduates next year, Clubine hopes to attend Georgia Tech University and study engineering.
‘I’d like to continue playing sports, maybe not at the college level, but I want to stay in shape,? she said.
Clubine encourages girls who might be curious about playing football to give it a try.
‘It’s such a good experience,? she said. ‘I feel like maybe I’ve inspired some girls in the Eagles.?