Story by Edward Pevos of MLive | epevos@MLive.com

These are many of the aspiring Detroit Lions Cheerleaders who auditioned for the 2017 squad at Ford Field on Saturday, March 11.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Paige from Wyandotte, Michigan stretches before her audition.

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Even those who were on the 2016 inaugural team had to audition to become a 2017 Detroit Lions Cheerleader. Auditions took place at Ford Field on Saturday, March 11.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Anna from Milford, Michigan stretches as she prepares for her audition dance.

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The 2016 Detroit Lions Cheerleaders consisted of 28 members. That was the first season in decades the Lions organization had an official cheerleader squad.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Gianna (right) went to the University of Missouri and currently works in advertising, Rebecca is majoring in dance at U of M Flint, Jessica is a teacher in Metro Detroit, Nikita is a registered nurse in Metro Detroit, Brooke is a student and a preschool assistant, Alexis is a CMU grad and is currently a recruiter.

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The women first had a few seconds to tell the judges about themselves. Then, they were given about 30 seconds in groups of five or six to freestyle dance and show off their moves. After that, some would receive callbacks.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Molly (left) is from Taylor, Allison is a graduate of EMU, Helen is a dance teacher in Romeo, Micah is a dance teacher and a permanent sub at Detroit Public Schools, Sierra is a graduate of Dean College.

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VIDEO: The first group of hopefuls freestyle dances in front of the judges.

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Dozens of women took part in the auditions. Some are students, some have full time jobs, some have a lot of dancing experience and some have none.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Jeniece (left) from Van Buren Township, Heather from Waterford (2016 Lions Cheerleader), and Angela from Farmington Hills shortly after their audition.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Katie and Chelsey from Novi were both 2016 Detroit Lions Cheerleaders.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Erica from Woodhaven takes a quick second to smile for the camera as she watches some of the other competitors practice before their auditions.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

The women receive audition instructions from head coach Rebecca Smoker.

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The 2017 Detroit Lions Cheerleaders team will be announced sometime this spring or summer. The team will take the field for the first time in front of fans at the first home game.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

Detroit Lions Cheerleaders hopefuls warm up before their auditions.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Shelby, from Oakland County, Michigan, was a 2016 Lions Cheerleader.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

A Detroit Lions Cheerleader hopeful stretches before her big audition.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Shelby from Shelby Township, Michigan shortly after her audition.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Jazzmine from Detroit hopes to make the 2017 squad.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

Detroit Lions Cheerleader hopefuls tryout out for the squad at Ford Field Saturday morning, March 11, 2017.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Megan from Fenton, Michigan hopes she makes the 2017 squad.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Molly from Taylor, Michigan also tried out in 2016.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Jenna is a communications coordinator and a model.

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VIDEO: Talking with Jenna from Detroit just after her audition

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Barbara-Rose from Detroit auditioned in 2016, too.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Bri (right) is a graduate from Eastern Michigan University and is a new and used cars salesperson, India (left) is a student at Wayne County Community College, Erica (back) is a recent graduate of Michigan State University.

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Some of the Lions Cheerleaders hopefuls hang out before and after their auditions.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Adrian (right) is from Romeo, Brie is a nanny from Arizona, Melissa (back) is from Howell.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

India (right) is a student at Wayne County Community College, Alexandra is a pure barre instructor in Brighton.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Tara from Livonia poses for a picture in front of the Lions Cheerleaders sign shortly after her audition.

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VIDEO: Head coach Rebecca Smoker talks about what she's look for with the 2017 team

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

Katie (left) is a kindergarten teacher, Alexandra (front) is a graduate of Oakland University, Bree (back left) is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, India (pink shorts) attends Wayne County Community College, Alexandra (back right) is a pure barre instructor in Brighton.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

More hopefuls warm up before their freestyle dances in front of the judges.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

Katie (right) introduces herself to the judges. She works at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. Next is Lauren who is a dance instructor and insurance agent.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

Head coach Rebecca Smoker gives instructions to the women.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

The judges await the next group of dancers. Head Coach Rebecca Smoker is at the end on the far left.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

This is the application the women filled out prior to their auditions.

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The 2016 Detroit Lions Cheerleaders first game

Below are pictures and video from their first game on Sept. 18, 2016.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Taking the field for the first time.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

The first routine.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Most of the 28 member team from 2016.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Bri (fourth from the left) was one of the many members of the 2016 team that tried out for the 2017 team on March 11.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Ashante (right) at the first home game of 2016.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Dianne (second from the left) also tried out for the 2017 team on March 11.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Mary

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Amber

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Stacey

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Lindsey (far left)

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Bianca

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Shelby C.

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Photo by Mike Mulholland of MLive

Karoline (second to the left in the blonde hair)

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Matthew Stafford's wife, Kelly (front left) was a judge last year.

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VIDEO: The 2016 Lions Cheerleaders first performance at Ford Field

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The second routine from 2016's first game.

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The third routine from the first game of 2016.

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