So, sometimes it is probably because their is crazy comp. and maybe another girl has everything you have plus they have sharper motions and also have game day leadership/ presence. Most people don't like to think about it, but I also believe there are situations were the girl trying out has the tumbling, jumps, sharp motions, game day presence, but the Coach picks a girl who has overall lower skills (including less sharp motions) because she looks the part. In this situation the Coach might feel uncomfortable saying yes you are definitely more qualified, but she looks more the part. So, instead says sorry you didn't have that game day presence or sharp motions we were looking for.
Game day presence plays into "looking the part" though.
There is a reason that some colleges ask you to dress and do your make up "game day pretty." Ex: teams like UT, OU, etc.
They want to see who can look the part and who they can PICTURE on the sideline.
If you walk in with a sky high Spirit pouf and neon green sports bra when they said half up curl hair, and game day ready make up, with team colored sports bra, you are going to have an issue. Add subpar motions to that, and you've effectively communicated:
1. I cannot follow simple directions.
2. I can't be pictured on the sideline because my game day presence is not there.
And the "look" is not pure beauty at all. So don't misunderstand that. It's more about the ability to transition from the all star pouf/glitter/etc. and shift toward a more natural/clean style of presentation.
I think that is the toughest part for some girls. They see the CHEER/game day portion of cheerleading as "extra" for most of their careers, as it has always been All Stars #1 and School Cheer #2. Then they get to college and it's not "extra." It's another important element that is weighed the SAME as other elements.
Then they get indignant like "OMG I HAVE A WHIP WHIP DOUBLE AND A BALL UP 360! WHAT GIVES?" not realizing that there are more variables at play than pure stunting and tumbling.