Lancaster County cheer teams eager to showcase their hard work for the upcoming season
The Lancaster News
Two veteran coaches and two newcomers will lead the county high school cheer teams this year and all four teams will look to energize and support their school sports teams during football season.
Here’s a glimpse into each cheer team for the 2023 season:
Andrew Jackson
Lee Harris ‑‑ a Brooklyn Springs Elementary kindergarten teacher ‑‑ will begin her third year as the Volunteers’ head coach.
Andrew Jackson will have 20 members on its squad, seven of them are seniors.
This team will be a younger than Harris is accustomed to, she says, with only seven members returning from last year’s team.
“I am looking forward to seeing them bond and develop as a team,” Harris said, “as well watching their individual strengths.”
The Volunteers will travel to home and away football games this season, hoping to give a boost of energy and morale to the football team, Harris says.
Harris enjoys being a part of the Friday Night Lights experience at AJ. “It’s so busy on Friday nights and everyone’s adrenaline is racing to make sure we get everything done,” Harris said. “My favorite part is watching the squad perform. Seeing all their hard work from practice being put to use on the field is a great reward.”
The Volunteers were busy this summer, Harris said. Conditioning and weightlifting started in June, and practices were held three days a week over the summer.
The team also took part in fundraising activities -- selling ads for the football program and selling Bundt Cakes and Simply Sheets. The earnings are going toward purchasing cheer gear for the season.
One of the returning members of the team is a regular face in the Harris household, Kylee Harris.
Kylee -- senior captain and Tonya’s daughter -- heads into her fourth year on varsity.
“I enjoy being a part of our small-town crowd,” Kylee said. “From the team running onto the field through the sign (banner), scoring touchdowns, the fans in the stands cheering with us -- it’s nonstop energy the entire game.”
AJHS Squad: From left (Back Row): senior Braylyn Riggins, senior Kylee Harris, senior London Elliott, junior Ca'Darius Miller, sophomore Jaida Williams, senior Samaria Clyburn, senior Jasmine Green, senior Saniya White. (Front Row): sophomore Kailyn Usher, sophomore Hanna Grace Connell, sophomore Abby Spinks, sophomore Camryn Reynolds, junior Bailee Williams, senior Madison Phillips, freshman Sydnie Turk, freshman Makali Coleman. Not pictured above: freshman Railee Brown, freshman Carson Davis, sophomore Kaibre Silvers, junior Carissa McAteer
Buford
Buford High’s cheer team will be led by Tonya Rape –Buford Middle English -Language Arts teacher -- for the third consecutive season. Rape is a former college cheerleader -- Winthrop University ‘94 – who brings more than a decade of coaching experience to the Yellow Jackets.
Rape loves getting to know the girls through coaching cheer and feels a sense of purpose with coaching high school girls.
“My favorite part of being their coach is the time I get to spend with them as a coach,” she said, “but also as someone that hopefully makes a difference in helping them become successful citizens.”
Buford High’s cheer team has 16 members this year, including three seniors.
The Yellow Jackets will not take part in competition events this season, but will focus on supporting their fellow classmates on the sideline, Rape said.
Anna Gleaton and Averee Stacks serve as Buford’s two captains.
Buford has worked hard this summer – practicing its craft and becoming a closer unit in the process, Rape said.
Rape looks forward to seeing her girls take the field and seeing all of their hard work pay off this fall.
“My favorite part of the Friday Night Lights experience is the way that Buford Community comes together to support each of the students,” Rape said. “Whether they are cheering, playing on the football team or performing in the band, the support that comes from the stands is amazing.”
BHS Squad: From left (Back Row): sophomore Maddi Edwards, freshman Adah Hunter, junior Anna Gleaton, senior Bobby Whited, junior Chloe Adams, junior Emmie Grace Johnson. (Middle Row): freshman Addy Wright, junior Shyanne Eberts, junior Averee Stacks, junior Morgan Baker, junior Sierra Beckham. (Front Row): sophomore Addison Jenkins, senior Caroline Jenkins, sophomore Ansley Small, senior Calynn Kelley and junior Tateyona Patterson.
Indian Land
The Indian Land High cheer team will be guided by first-year varsity coach Kamryn Schemine, a certified personal trainer with seven years of school and competition cheer experience.
Schemine will lead 22 members on the Warriors cheer team, including 10 seniors.
“The ILHS cheer team is a growing program,” Fort Mill native Schemine said. “This year we are really focusing on technique, developing skills and forming relationships.”
Indian Land is working diligently to qualify for cheer competitions, Sachemine said.
The IL cheer team has had an eventful summer, Schemine says. The Warriors grew as a unit by hosting numerous fundraisers -- including a cornhole tournament -- and spending hours practicing together.
IL took part in the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) cheer camp in July. Schemine says her team took the experience well — learning new material, solidifying their technique and developing new skills.
Five Warriors -- Victoria Horton (a freshman on the junior varsity team), Kimberly Gibson, Savannah Boroughs, Kaitlyn Cushta and Natalie Ross -- earned All-American honors by U.C.A.
Ross – a captain on the team -- says she’s proud to be an IL cheer member.
“We're not just skilled cheerleaders, but also great teammates who support each other both on and off the field,” Ross said. “We strive to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere for everyone.”
Csuhta -- another IL captain -- is looking forward to the upcoming season.
“As the cheer program is still being built, I want the community to know that IL Cheer works exceptionally hard to prove that we are just as much athletes as the other sports teams,” Csuhta said. “We look forward to uplifting the spirit at school and sporting events.”
ILHS Squad: From left (Back Row): junior Emily Grace Urban, freshman Tori Witte, freshman Rheanna Morris, sophomore Emma Cartwright, sophomore Olivia Cesario, sophomore Marrissa Eckard, sophomore Sheyla Funderburk, junior Makenzi Cato-Dixon, junior Alexei Miller, senior Ella Davis. (Middle Row): freshman Brooklyn Harlowe, senior McKenzie McAnulty, freshman Kameron Davis, freshman Rowan Walsh, freshman Megan Maki, sophomore Avery Davis, junior Addison McKeown, senior Savannah Boroughs, senior Emma Gross, UCA staff member, sophomore Anee Millares, freshman Dakota Alwran. (Front Row): UCA staff member, senior Kimberly Gibson, junior Alana Mello, freshman Victoria Horton, freshman London Casterline, senior Kaitlyn Csuhta, senior Natalie Ross, senior Alina Zambrano and UCA staff member.
Lancaster
Lancaster High School did not respond following many inquiries.
Sources indicate that the Bruins have hired a new cheer coach, LaShondra Heath, pending district approval.