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Father Knows Best

Anna Duncan, Cheerleader

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Story by Chris Kuhn • Photos by Jeff Fay

Published: November 2, 2007

Anna Duncan never imagined a simple navigating mistake could change her life.

"It honestly sprang up on me," she says. "My dad was visiting me at the gym on the USF campus and accidentally walked into a Bucs cheerleader workshop. He told me, 'You should try it.' I went in the next day and tried out."

Now celebrating a second year on the Bucs cheerleader squad, Duncan recalls the rush of emotion she felt during that first audition. "My heart was racing. I was nervous, scared and excited, all at the same time. But I practiced all night and wanted to dance my heart out to show them how much I really wanted this."

To compound the pressure, the NFL Network was chronicling the new squad of cheerleader hopefuls during tryouts and the swimsuit shoot in Marathon Key, Florida. "It added a whole new level of intensity with cameras following your every move. But it was good preparation for the media interest to follow when chosen," she says. "You soon learn that when you're on the field, you can't get flustered. You just smile and keep going!"

A junior marketing major at the University of South Florida, Duncan always has looked to dad Michael for guidance. "He's such an amazing person and I admire him as a human being and as a business person," she says. "I only hope I can be half as good as my dad in the business world."

The 21-year-old hails from nearby Palmetto where her family still resides. Growing up, she played soccer, cheered for the Pop Warner league and served as captain for her high school cheerleading squad.

Becoming a professional football cheerleader has provided Duncan her most exciting adventures. "Last year, we traveled to Japan, Korea and Hawaii where we met with military and I have even greater respect for them now," she says. "They were thanking us for coming and I kept thinking 'thank us? But we should all be thanking you!' "
She admits professional cheerleading is not always as easy as it looks. "In the beginning, it's a struggle to keep up — picking up new dances quickly and coping with not knowing what to expect, but if you give it the dedication and commitment required, it gets easier."

Balancing school, cheering and a part-time job doesn't leave much free time, so prioritizing is everything. "The secret is eating right and taking the time to relax," Duncan says. "I make sure to give myself the necessary down time to keep up with everything. It's far too easy to get swamped and stop taking care of yourself."
She also credits her teammates for helping her stay focused. "The girls motivate me so much. Everyone's so exceptional. We have an Emerson quote that we often say around the squad — 'Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.' I never forget that."

Always on the go, the Bucs cheerleading squad takes part in two to three practices each week and remains busy at corporate and charity events year-round. She has especially enjoyed the group's involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "They are a great organization and do so much to make a difference," she says.

When she's not cheering or studying, Duncan enjoys going to the dog park with her cocker spaniel, spending time with friends and family and anything water-related, including fishing and swimming. Her favorite Bay area hangouts are Clearwater Beach and the USF campus (when she's not ducking into her favorite store, Barnes & Noble, to sample CDs in the music section).

To stay in shape, she enjoys recreational exercise rather than traditional workouts. "I like fun activities like volleyball and swimming that don't remind me that I'm doing exercise."

She's not sure what the future holds, though a career in sports marketing isn't out of the question. "I've watched the Bucs' marketing director put on presentations before and have thought to myself, 'That's something I would enjoy doing.' I think I'd be good at it."

Duncan's in no hurry to end her cheerleading days, though. "I'll be here as long as Sandy [Bucs cheerleader coordinator, Sandy Charboneau] will have me.

"I love it more than anything and they'll have to pull me off the field!"

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