They spend hours in the weight room developing fine-tuned, muscular bodies.

They run miles on end to condition themselves for a long, strenuous season.

They spill sweat from every crevasse of their bodies.

No, this isn’t the linebacker crew for Eastern’s football team. It is the eight males who make up half of Eastern’s varsity cheerleading squad.

Cheerleading, as we know it, started back in 1898. At the University of Minnesota, a student began a cheer position called “yell marshall.” Oh, by the way, it was a male student. His name was Johnny Campbell, and he began what is now a sport with three million members in the United States alone.

However, the sport is predominantly female today. Although a male created it, the men today who participate in cheerleading face ridicule and stereotypes. Words such as gay, sissy and queer have followed these athletes for some time now.

The reason? Lack of knowledge and exposure to the sport.

“People make assumptions about male cheerleaders because it is mainly a female sport,” said Eastern varsity cheerleading coach Tom Leong. “Some guy cheerleaders are homosexuals. They are just more open about it than guys (who are homosexual) in other sports.”

Females are the dominant sex in the sport of cheerleading. This is a truism. But maybe after learning a little bit about what these male athletes go through, you’ll think twice before judging them again. You may even want to head on over to Lantz and try your luck at some back flips.

A cheerleader’s training is a long and committed process. An intense tryout period tests the athletes on their strength, flexibility, conditioning and endurance. Sounds similar to all those “masculine” sports, huh?

Mike Mantonya, a senior on the varsity squad, said his conditioning lasts all year. He spends his time lifting “sissy” muscles and running to build on endurance.

His experience as a cheerleader didn’t begin until college. Throughout his youth and high school days, Mantonya worked hard at gymnastics; another predominately female sport men enjoy.

When he came to Eastern, he realized there wasn’t a gymnastics team to join. This is when he turned to cheerleading.

“The first time I tried (cheerleading), I loved it,” Mantonya said. “Most guys who do it will say the same thing.”

Mantonya found similar attributes in cheerleading that are present in gymnastics.

Tumbling, body control an strength are all needed to excel in either sport. The males who find cheerleading a worthwhile experience love it because it tests them physically and mentally, but mostly because it’s fun.

After perfecting a routine, and entertaining the fans, they feel proud about what they have accomplished.

Another advantage of trying out the “sport of homosexuals” is the mere fact of being around a handful of young, fit and attractive females for a chunk of the day. Remember, the guys are the ones lifting the girls, who are wearing short skirts.

“There are a few guys who come out for that very reason,” Leong said. “Once they perform their first stunt though, they are hooked to the sport. The girls are an added bonus.”

I can”t say I like that idea – after all, my girlfriend is a cheerleader. But the truth is, these guys are very committed to the sport they love and deserve respect.

Other athletes around Eastern”s campus have a positive view on male cheerleaders.

Curtis Lester, an offensive lineman on the football team, said, “The guys who do it have to be strong and committed, like in any sport. They have made it a more diverse sport.”

Sure, they wear skin-tight V-neck shirts and tight pants. Yes, they scream into megaphones and radiate cheerful grins at every event.

However, if people could get these insignificant details out of their heads, they might

take cheerleading for what it is – an intense, competitive sport.

And if you still don”t want to listen, head on over to Lantz and see how “easy” it is.