WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 20, 2017 — Cheerleaders are a big part of campus life. Performing at football and basketball games, the Hilltopper Cheerleaders inspire school spirit and keep fans excited. Coached by West Liberty University alumna Courtney Taylor, the 2017 – 2018 cheerleaders include 19 enthusiastic young women happy to do their part.

Cheerleaders at Homecoming game, Oct. 14, 2017.

“Our cheerleaders work hard to develop and create routines to inspire fans and teams as they compete. Many of the cheerleaders have cheered for years and all are fine athletes themselves, as well as hard-working students,” said Taylor who is currently employed as a substitute teacher for Ohio County Schools.

The 2017 – 2018 Hilltopper Cheerleaders and their majors for 2017 – 2018 include:

• Senior Jenna Angius, exercise physiology major from West Virginia 
• Sophomore Bre Ross, nursing major from Wheeling
• Senior Kayce Neely, exercise physiology major from Ohio
• Freshman Julee Schuetz, English & criminal justice major from Ohio 
• Freshman Ashley Miller, dental hygiene major from West Virginia
• Junior Melody Singer, criminal justice major from Pennsylvania
• Junior RaNysha Saunders, elementary ed major from Wheeling
• Senior Lacey VanDyne, accounting major from West Virginia
• Freshman MaKenna Berka, nursing major from Ohio
• Senior Holly Davis Brooke, accounting major from West Virginia
• Freshman Samantha Neece, dental hygiene major from Ohio
• Sophomore Kara Pfeifer, dental hygiene major from Ohio
• Junior Logan Smith, exercise physiology major from Delaware
• Sophomore Madison Neiswonger, premed major from Ohio
• Senior Charli Goodwin, exercise physiology from Wheeling
• Sophomore Savanna Bates, elementary education from West Virginia
• Sophomore Jordan Stahl, nursing major from Wheeling
• Sophomore Sydney Nicholson, tourism and event management from Ohio
• Sophomore Rebekah Fryman, dental hygiene major from Pennsylvania

According to Taylor, who was a cheerleader herself, she picks no team captains and instead relies on her senior cheerleaders to fill this leadership role.

Kayce Neely, Homecoming Queen candidate.

Senior Kayce Neely, who is in her second year of cheering at WLU, is excited about this year.

“We are starting to do competitions this year and will go to the National Cheerleader Association (NCA) collegiate nationals in Daytona Beach in April,” she explained. The team qualified to go over the summer by hosting a NCA camp.

Right now, the girls practice three days a week with Coach Taylor and two days on their own, either at Blatnik gym or the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC). Cheerleaders also are required to attend a weekly study session to keep their academic focus strong.

What does Neely find most rewarding about the lifestyle of a college cheerleader?

“Hanging out with the girls and spending quality time with your friends, it’s really like a second family,” Neely said. She should know, since she also cheered in high school at Martins Ferry High.

“It is a great way to experience college and support your school and each other.”

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