Published: October 23, 2008 10:31 am      

Cheering Campaign

San Marcos native Ashley Johnson needs hometown help with online competition

University of Texas cheerleader Ashley Johnson had a busy day Saturday. ESPN’s weekly “College Gameday” show visited Austin Saturday, and the UT senior was on the set cheering by 9 a.m. Then it was off to Longhorn Foundation appearances and a full day of cheering engagements until 4 p.m.

And, finally, the big nationally-televised game against Missouri.

But the 21 year-old San Marcos native has another competition on her mind, too. And she needs San Marcos’ help for this one.

Johnson, a former SMHS cheerleader, is competing with seven other Division I college cheerleaders from around the country in the online Athlon Sideline Spirit competition. Each competitor in the online voting contest has a bio page with photos and personal information to help voters decide. Visit athlonsports.com to vote.

“I’m an old San Marcos-ite, so it would look really great if we could win this,” Johnson said.

Athlon has broken up the competition into four rounds, featuring seven cheerleaders or dancers in each round (one from each BCS conference and one non-BCS representative). Voters have until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31 to vote for Johnson, and if she were to win, she would go on to the finals to be held in December.

The education major said she’s always wanted to go to The University of Texas because “the sports and academics are both great.” As a cheerleader, she’s been up close for some great Longhorn football moments. She was on the sidelines when Vince Young scored the game-winning touchdown in the 2006 Rose Bowl, and says she thoroughly enjoyed the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 11.

But, as a high school cheerleader, there were some good San Marcos moments, too.

“Every time we played Hays, which was our big rival, that was always a good time,” Johnson said.