The Cardinal cheerleaders are struggling to deal with the loss of a teammate.

Jimmy Arness Roberson Jr., of Virginia Beach, VA, was killed Monday night in a single car accident in his hometown.

Roberson, who went by “Jay,” was a freshman at Trinity Valley Community College. He joined the Cardinal cheerleaders in August.

The 20-year-old and a passenger – 18-year-old Breanne Candera Mahon – were killed along Interstate 64 when the car Roberson was driving hit a guardrail on the left side of the road before going off the right side of the pavement, according to investigators.

According to an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, investigators have said they do not yet know why the vehicle went off the road. Alcohol was not a factor and the pair were both wearing seatbelts.

Cardinal Cheerleading Coach Lucy Strom said her team is just trying to “deal with the shock” of losing Robertson.

“Jay was the kind of student you wanted to have,” said Strom. “There was a lot he added to the team. It’s been a shock for all of us.”

When Roberson first arrived at TVCC, Strom said it took awhile for the naturally shy cheerleader to warm up. But once he did he quickly became a central part of the team.

“He came in as a very quiet, shy kid. He didn’t like the fact that we wanted to get to know him,” said Strom. But she knew that had changed halfway through last semester, when during a team bonding exercise she asked the freshmen what they had learned about themselves since coming to TVCC.

“He spoke up and everyone was in tears. He said he resented that everyone wanted to get to know his business at first, but that he had learned to respect and appreciate that and learned that we really care,” said Strom. “Once he opened up there was no stopping him.”

Roberson befriended not only many of his teammates, said Strom, but many of the basketball players as well. Many Cardinals and Lady Cardinals have come by Strom’s office in the past two days to express their sorrow.

Roberson’s friends in Athens are not the only ones in mourning this week. According to the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, VA, a candlelight service was held Tuesday night at Fame All Stars gym in Virginia Beach, where Roberson had worked on his cheerleading skills.

"They both always had a smile on their face," said Dywon Fisher, who coached both Roberson and Mahon at Fame All Stars gym in Virginia Beach. "Jay was always full of energy. I always put him at the center of my dances because I could count on him to pull it through."

Strom and nine members of the cheerleading team are traveling to Virginia this week to attend services for Roberson, which are scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Metropolitan Funeral Service in Norfolk, VA. Classes are still out for the Christmas break and so those cheerleaders are traveling in from various places back to TVCC early in order to make the trip.

“It’s going to be a tough few weeks for all of us,” said Strom. “It is going to be hard when (all the cheerleaders) get back to try to move on.”

This is the first time Strom – who has been involved with the Cardinal cheerleading program for more than a decade – said she remembers the team losing an active member.

 “For some of the (current cheerleaders) this is their first time dealing with something like this. They consider him family. We are family,” said Strom.

Spring semester classes begin next week, and for the Cardinal cheerleaders the toughest time of the year will begin.

The team will begin preparations for its nationals competition this month, said Strom. Only 20 Cardinals will be allowed to compete in April when the team makes a bid for a tenth national title. Strom said Roberson was going to be one of the competitors.

“One of the team members designated as alternates will compete in his place. That is the best thing for the team, and that is what Jay would have wanted,” said Strom.

To leave condolences, please log onto www.lstrom@tvcc.edu.