Cheerleading - sport, or not a sport?

[bellnier]

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a cheer competition at the local community college. I went away with the impression that most of these girls were incredibly athletic and coordinated, and some had no small amount of courage (and trust). In fact, at my daughter's high school cheerleading is only a winter activity (they cheer at basketball games). When spring season comes, several of the girls play rugby on my daughter's team. As to whether cheer a sport...that's one of those astroturf-no astroturf arguments best discussed over a pint or two.