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Men Behind the Megaphone

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Meet Phil Noel, Austin Welch and Marcus Mercier — all members of the Eastern Florida State College cheer team — and the next students to be featured in our Splash of the Titans Athlete Spotlight series!

  • Name: Phil Noel
    Hometown: Vero Beach, FL
    Studying: Organizational Management
  • Name: Austin Welch
    Hometown: South Bend, IN
    Studying: Business
  • Name: Marcus Mercier
    Hometown: Melbourne, FL
    Studying: Organizational Management

How long have you been part of the EFSC cheer team?

  • Phil: I first started off by joining the spirit team back in March of 2019, and once it dissolved, I was absorbed into the cheer team, and I’ve been there ever since.
  • Austin: Almost a full semester now.
  • Marcus: I joined the cheer team at the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester.

What motivated you to join the team?

  • Phil: I’m a challenge-driven person, and I wanted to see if I was capable of cheering. So far, I’ve been keeping up, and it has been pushing me to be better every time I come into practice. 
  • Austin: I have always wanted to join cheer!
  • Marcus: I have always been interested in acrobatics and stunting. I had been training in “backyard” tumbling for three years prior to joining the team, and I saw a wonderful opportunity to compete at the collegiate level.

Why did you choose EFSC?

  • Phil: Locality.
  • Austin: It was close to home and an inexpensive choice.
  • Marcus: EFSC gave me an opportunity to save money and stay close to family and friends.

 What can you apply to your daily life from cheerleading?

  • Phil: Perseverance and endurance! Not letting mistakes linger in my head, and going back to try again. When things start to get tough, get tougher. God will never put you in a situation you can’t handle.
  • Austin: To be more confident with yourself and others. Also to work well with others.
  • Marcus: The dedication to something bigger than myself. Learning to grow and understand people and the dynamics of a close-knit team. As a business major, these are crucial skills that will also aid me in my career.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

  • Phil: Increasing the team size and competing! Let’s bring back some hardware!
  • Austin: Participating in competitions for cheer.
  • Marcus: The opportunity to grow close to my team members and develop as a student and a human being.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying out for the team?

  • Phil: Give it a try, because you will not regret it. It will test your limits, but you will be better off.
  • Austin: Do it! It is a great opportunity to do a sport that not many people know the inner workings of, and it is surprisingly fun.
  • Marcus: Collegiate cheer is free from many of the stereotypes about cheerleaders. It’s really just a close-knit group in pursuit of a championship.

What does “a day in the life of an EFSC cheerleader” look like?

  • Phil: Come to class, either get lunch and do homework, or work out and get lunch. If there’s not a meeting for SGA, then struggle to bring out the mats and have practice!
  • Austin: First I start off by going to class, then I do a little homework and have lunch. Then I get changed and ready for a two-hour practice with stunts and dances.
  • Marcus: Me and another member of the team head to the gym for a workout, then eat breakfast. I normally come to the college a little early, say hello to any team members, hang out with friends for about 30 minutes, then head to class. When class is finished, I knock out any remaining homework for the day, then head to practice.

What is your favorite free time activity?

  • Phil: Hanging out with friends, being outside and watching Netflix/YouTube/Hulu!
  • Austin: Working out is my favorite activity, which also helps me at cheer practice.
  • Marcus: I enjoy working out, tumbling, dancing, YouTube and hanging out with family and friends.

What is your favorite move/stunt/cheer to perform?

  • Phil: Coed stunting/one-man. I’m not the best, but I want to get better at it.
  • Austin: We are learning toss hands currently, and it looks amazing, but I would love to get a cupie.
  • Marcus: I love doing one-man stunts. They are the most challenging, but also the most rewarding.

What is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to you?

  • Phil: Joining the ESFC cheer team!
  • Austin: Starting college – and doing cheer my first year of college.
  • Marcus: Having the opportunity to play a college sport!

What is your goal in life?

  • Phil: To make people happy. I truly find enjoyment when I help people or make them happy.
  • Austin: My goal is to be athletic for the rest of my life – and to be a millionaire before my 30s.
  • Marcus: To become a philanthropist and give back to those who have helped me.

What do you love most about EFSC?

  • Phil: The people I meet every semester!
  • Austin: The people by far. It’s a different environment from high school, and they are just really friendly here.
  • Marcus: The environment, and having a small, close group of college friends.

Interested in joining the EFSC cheerleading team? Tryouts take place annually (or by term as needed). Hope to see you for the upcoming cheer season!

Ashley Halcom
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