9 On Your Side traffic reporter Jaclyn DeAugustino has been named a member of the 2018 Cincinnati Ben-Gals. It will be her second year in a row performing with the cheerleading squad.
CINCINNATI -- Hey there, Who Dey Nation!
I could not be more excited to be back in the Jungle cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals for another season.
Thank you to all of you incredible viewers who have followed along and supported my journey. It’s truly an honor and a privilege to represent this organization while also doing what I love.
The past year was definitely challenging with my schedule, but there were so many incredible moments throughout the season that made everything worth it. I am so thankful for the great friendships I’ve made along the way, meeting all the ride-or-die Bengals fans and, of course, performing on the incredible stage that is Paul Brown Stadium.
RELATED: Life as a Ben-Gal
The Ben-Gals’ tryout process is lengthy and definitely challenging. It happens over the course of three weeks: There are a few cuts before the semifinal round, an interview round and then an entire week of rehearsals leading up to the final auditions.
CLICK through our photo gallery from the tryouts.
This year, our team is made up of 29 talented women from all kinds of dance/cheerleading backgrounds, but a good portion are local “Gals.” There are a handful of alums from Northern Kentucky University, University of Cincinnati and Xavier University! You can find the full squad here.
Our practices start today, and I’m so excited to get the ball rolling on another season -- and, of course, up my coffee intake for the next few months. I can’t wait to take the field with these ladies for the first time during our preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 9.
I hope to see you all in the Jungle this year -- Who Dey!
