Somersaulting in auditions for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Preparing for auditions for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Jumping at auditions for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Somersaulting in auditions for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
A.J. Spanos was among judges at audition for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Cheering for rivals at audition for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Waiting turn to audition for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Auditioning for 2015-2016 Charger Girls at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Competing at Sheraton Harbor auditions for 2015-2016 Charger Girls.
Jumping for joy at Sheraton Harbor auditions for 2015-2016 Charger Girls.
Photos by Chris Stone
Updated at 4:10 p.m. April 10, 2015
Hoping to join (or rejoin) the 28-member Chargers Girls dance team, 72 young women auditioned for the 2015-2016 season Thursday afternoon at the Sheraton Harbor Island.
Charger Girl Dance Squad 2015-16 poses after final selections. Image via San Diego Chargers
On a wooden ballroom floor, they performed a routine in threesomes and then another as solos. They often cheered each other as they awaited their turns.
Chargers CEO A.G. Spanos, oldest son of team president Dean Spanos, was among the judges of the final audition, which began with more than 300 registrants Saturday at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion, and narrowed to about 150. Interviews helped pick the final 72.
Other judges were Jessie Christensen, Ken Derrett, Mike Douglass, Ryan Gallop, Maria Giannini, Kristin Hollowaty, Denny O’Leary, Nicole Rush and Lisa Simmons (the squad’s director)
“I was really impressed with the deep pool of talent that auditioned for this year’s team,” Simmons said. “We had to make some tough decisions to select the final 28 girls. That strong competition has ensured we’ll have one of our finest squads ever.”
Seventeen are returning veterans and 11 are first-time Charger Girls. Fifteen of the 28 members are students, including two from San Diego State University, two from the University of San Diego and one from the University of San Diego School of Law.
The group includes a certified public accountant, social media director, medical sales representative and general manager of a performing arts & fitness facility. The roster also includes nine native San Diegans and one dancer from Sydney, Australia.
Besides the traditional calendar and home game appearances, members also attend community and charity events.
