LARAMIE — DJ Johnson has been introducing us to a new member of the Wyoming spirit squad each week in this series “Spirit spotlight.”

This week we want to showcase:

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Garreth Mansanares
Longmont, Colo.,
Junior
Business Economics/Accounting

Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of the University of Wyoming’s Spirit Squad?
A: I’d have to say that traveling is one of my favorite things because the team gets to bond on a whole different level when we have the opportunity to travel together. Over the last three years I’ve had the opportunity to travel quite a bit…I’ve been to Nationals twice (once in Orlando, Fla., and once in Anaheim, Calif.,), the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho, and to the Mountain West Conference tournament in Las Vegas.

Q: What is your favorite thing about living in Laramie?
A: The community of Laramie is what I really, really love. Everyone in the town is so warm and welcoming, and there is so much pride throughout the town. Anytime we go to events, as the Spirit Squad, people are extraordinarily friendly and it literally feels like home.

Q: If you had to give advice to a 12-year old child, who wanted to become a collegiate cheerleader, what advice would you give them?
A: I would definitely say that you have to have a good work ethic because not only does it take up a lot of your time, it is also both physically and mentally demanding, and a solid work ethic is needed to keep up with the pace. So for those in high school who have aspirations of cheering at the collegiate level, come in with a strong attitude and an amazing work ethic because it’s very demanding.

Q: What is your background in cheerleading, and how did you get to where you are today in the sport?
A: Actually, I was on the basketball team in high school; however, with so many people on the team, a lot of us didn’t get a whole lot of playing time. Looking elsewhere where I could be more involved, during my sophomore year I talked with the cheer coach and then I tried out my junior year of high school. Once I made the team, I found that I truly enjoyed the sport and I just continued on from there.

Q: If I were to give you two plane tickets anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I would take my older brother, Dominic, and we would go to Spain. I’d choose Spain because that’s where our family is from and it would be nice to visit a foreign country.

Q: What is one thing that people may find interesting about you, that most people aren’t aware of?
A: Actually, there is. Although I’m an economics major, the main thing that I want to do after college is to go into professional wrestling, and attempt to get into All-Elite Wrestling. As a little kid, I watched a whole lot of wresting and fell in love with the sport, and in high school I realized that I could definitely train for this and make it a reality.

My favorite food is carne asada
My favorite professional athlete is Kenny Omega
My favorite color is gold
My favorite animal is a capuchin monkey
My favorite song is Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
My favorite quote is “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” – Judy Garland
Do you know how to ride a horse? No
Do you know who Chancey Williams is? Yes

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