COLLEGE GIVES CREDIT FOR TEAM SPIRIT; MOORPARK COLLEGE ADDS CHEERLEADING TO FALL CURRICULUM.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

About a dozen cheerleading hopefuls waited anxiously outside an audition room at Moorpark College for the start of try-outs Saturday, practicing the moves and jumps they would soon be doing for a panel of judges.

Among them was Megan Elcock, 20, who said she hopes to transfer to San Diego State University next fall and wants to join the cheerleading squad there. But she figured she'd gotten a bit rusty from her days as a Newbury Park High School cheerleader.

``I haven't done this for about two years, so this has helped me get back into the groove,'' Elcock said. ``And it makes you want to be at school when you're doing something else you want to do.''

The school has 13 members cheering at football games. At the try-outs on Saturday, another seven or so will be added.

The Moorpark cheerleading squad was formed as a club eight years ago to cheer on the school's football and basketball teams. It functioned informally until this fall, when it was made an official class with a paid adviser.

The girls now get two units of physical education credit, and the class acts as a training ground for students interested in trying out for the squad in the following semester.

Some of the women who tried out Saturday have been a part of cheerleading in the past, while others said they are doing it for the first time, just to see what it's like.

Members said the team gives them a chance to be a part of the campus community - often a difficult thing at a two-year college.

``When you come here, you don't really get involved,'' said the team's co-captain, Heather Allen. ``You just come to class and leave. But we do get involved.''

Many of those trying out said a sense of community and an outlet for their interest in dance and cheering were some of the reasons they wanted to be on the squad.

``It makes it look better if you want to join other stuff, that you've been out there,'' said Lashai McCowan, 18, who once cheered for her high school team at Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard.

``And it shows school spirit,'' said friend Lourdes Sarabia, 17, a former drill team member at Sylmar High School. ``It shows you want to be a part of helping your school.''

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PHOTO Students practice their routines before trying out for the Moorpark College cheerleading squad.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News