Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders: Nerves Run High at Tryouts

DAVIE, FL — Everywhere Dorie Grogan looked on Saturday she saw poise, confidence and talent. But that just made the former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader's job all the more difficult. She and a panel of judges that included a Navy officer and a Miami DJ, had to select 48 finalists out of 300 women vying to move on to next week's finals and a step closer to becoming a Miami Dolphin Cheerleader.

Check out Patch's photo gallery at the bottom of this article.

"Auditions is my favorite time of year. We get to meet so many amazing and talented women,' said Grogan, who is the team's senior director of brand impact and entertainment. "It's hard to make a decision. But when you are judging, you really just look for that dynamic energy and personality — the girls who make you smile." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Aventura Patch.)

While 1,800 women inquired about the tryouts, only 700 registered and 300 seized the opportunity to make the judges smile at Baptist Health Training Facility.

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"I do think nerves get involved," Grogan said. "They just think, 'maybe I don't have it.' Nobody should every feel that way. You never know. You might have that sparkle that the judges see and you might make the team."

"It's so exciting. It's nerve-racking at the same time," observed 19-year-old Stephanie of Coral Springs. "Being confident is really everything."

She did a double take when her number was called to move on to the semifinals. "I've always wanted to do this ever since I was little growing up, looking up to the Dolphins' cheerleaders," she told Patch.

Miami law student Karissa was feeling older than many of the other young women she was competing against inside the Dolphins practice bubble. "I'm 25," she exclaimed with a smile. "Oh, I have to say that out loud, huh."

While that may seem young to most people, Karissa said it's not young for a cheerleader.

"A lot of these girls are fresh off college teams, fresh off of other professional teams, fresh out of high school dance teams." she added. "They have the technique, and they are used to performing in a crowd. It's been six years since I've done that."

Was it scary?

"It's petrifying," she replied without hesitation. "The biggest fear for all girls is you're not a judge. You're not in the judge's mind. And you're looking around, and all you see is beautiful girls and great dancers and outstanding personalities and they compare you to them."

This was the second year that 19-year-old Gaby of Miami tried out for the squad. She made it to the finals last year.

"It's more nerve-racking," she said. "They know me already. They met me on a personal level. They know my work ethic. I was basically here for six weeks after my audition. So they already know me and they already told me 'no.'"

She said she had to push herself to try again.

"I woke up this morning and I was like 'I don't know if I can come back.' It's hard. Rejection is like hard but I have faith, so we'll see."

Anna was warming up with her leg so high that it almost touched her face. She will celebrate her 23rd birthday on Tuesday but she was hoping for an early present.

"I love to dance. I've been dancing since I was 11," said the Virginia transplant. "In college, we got to perform at an NFL game at halftime once and it was incredible."

Judges included season ticket holder Nosh Ahmad; Allen Americans Ice Angels director Stephanie Dibiase; Miami Hurricanettes Dancer and choreographer Leo Chavez; dance team director Natalie Chernow; former Dolphins Cheerleader and choreographer Ariann Denison; dancer and choreographer Susie Garcia; entertainer DJ Irie; NFL Mexico director of marketing and media Jorge Loperena; dancer and choreographer Flaco Luna; Miami Dolphins Alum Lousaka Polite; dancer and choreographer Molly Roller; U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sundy Tople and 102.7 The Beach Radio's DJ Kenny Walker.

While Saturday's auditions were closed to the public, the final auditions will be open on June 11 at Hard Rock Live. Visit www.DolphinsCheerleaders.com for more information.

The women selected on Saturday will compete against a smaller group of finalists that were picked at an earlier audition in Orlando as well as returning members of the squad.

That's right. Even veteran Dolphin cheerleaders must try out each year to keep their jobs.

"It gets easier as time goes on, but definitely your first and second year trying out are very, very nerve-racking so I know these ladies are very nervous right now," explained Alison, who officially retired this year after five years as a Dolphin cheerleader.

"It's definitely a sad day," said Alison, who made it to the Pro Bowl squad last year and was helping the prospects learn dance routines. "Being on the other side of it, and not trying out, but being the one leading the tryouts is definitely different."

Photos by Paul Scicchitano