UPIKE Cheerleaders on the road to Nationals
0Written by Nissona Hounshell
The two-time Mid-South Conference Champions, the University of Pikeville cheerleaders, are set to defend their title in Frankfort on March 4.
Aside from the conference competition, the cheerleaders, under the coaching of Jeannie Stone, are preparing for their second nationals appearance in UPIKE cheerleading history. The first nationals appearance was last year and the team placed seventh out of 12.
NCA Nationals will take place mid-April in Daytona, Fla. In anticipation of placing higher than last year, Stone brought in two former University of Louisville cheerleaders, Griffin Myers and Joey Mastrocola, to give an edge on this year’s routine.
Katie Walters said, “This year’s team is jam packed with talent. We have a great chance for success and we are hoping that with hard work and dedication over the next few months, that we will be able to achieve our third conference championship in a row and place in the top five at NCA Nationals.”
Along with cheering for every basketball game, the cheerleaders have also had numerous amounts of two-a-day practices.
Saturday, Jan. 24, at the UPIKE vs. Life game, both the cheerleaders and dancers held a “Bear Cubs” clinic. Children from the ages six to 13 practiced on Friday night and performed on Saturday during halftime at the game.
Monday, Feb. 2, the cheerleaders and dance team will be hosting another fundriaser at Penn Station from 3-5 p.m. Ten percent of the sales, all tips, and donations will go toward funding this year’s nationals trip.
These are just two of the many fundraisers the cheerleaders will hold in order to raise money for Daytona, so don’t forget to help support your Bears make history!