Former varsity football players Gabe Crespin and Matt Stalun decided to show their school spirit in an alternative way this semester.

During their off season, Stalun and Crespin can be seen on the basketball court- cheering, that is. The duo make up two of the newest members to Carlmont’s cheerleading team, which is primarily composed of girls.

Though usually thought of as a “girls’ sport”, cheerleading requires males just as it does females. Male cheerleaders are usually utilized as the base of stunt groups, otherwise known as the members who lift the “flyers” up in the air.

“We made a deal. That was it. We’re friends with the girls on the team and it’s interesting to see how cheer is actually run. Its a lot different than I expected,” said Crespin in regards to why he joined the team.

“They asked me to do it and I was like ‘why not?,” said Stalun.

Crespin and Stalun have been a part of Carlmont’s football team since their freshman year. Stalun starred as this season’s quarterback. Currently, he is out on injury and cannot participate in cheer, but noted his season was “fun while it lasted.”

“Matt can do flips like crazy…he went down with an injury so that definitely set him back a little bit but I think he’s going to come back strong. He had a set back but he’s going to bounce back really well,” said fellow varsity football teammate senior Tristan Gasperian.

In his free time, Crespin makes sandwiches and works the register at Togo’s, a sandwich shop in Redwood Shores, Calif. After high school, Crespin plans to attend college, hopefully at the University of Nevada, Reno where he intends to play football and join the ROTC program. His fellow classmates refer to him as a “funny guy”  who is  “always able to put [people] in a good mood.”

Crespin and Stalun have support from their fellow football and cheer teammates.

“Matt and Gabe are two of the hardest working people I know,” said Gasperian in regards to the duo’s work ethic.

“They’re both really nice and fun to be around. It’s entertaining having them on the team,” said varsity cheerleader senior Sydney Levine.

Whether it be on the football field or the basketball court, Stalun and Crespin can be seen at athletic events year round.