By Brody Gray
When people try Texas Roadhouse rolls for the first time they like the taste and keep coming back for more
On Oct. 19, 2024 the varsity cheer team got a taste of what winning felt like and they are now starving for more.
Last season, the team claimed the 3A State Championship in the traditional category at the Hoosier Cheer Coaches Association competition. They also won the Hoosier Heritage Conference for the first time.
“We all know what success tastes like and we want it again,” sophomore cheerleader Alexa Bratton said.
Next year’s varsity squad features a strong mix of returning veterans and fresh talent, eight returning and three new additions.
The varsity cheerleaders consist of seniors Aubrey Thomas (main base) and Stella Sieber (flyer). Juniors are Alexa Bratton (main base), Preslie Blankenship (flyer), Lily Dennis (side), and Malia Schwartz (main).
Sophomores are Ruthie Peckinpaugh (back), Reese Backus (back), Lilli Swanson (side), and Mabrey Williams (flyer). One varsity freshman is Ava Davis (position to be determined).
The three newcomers are Blankenship, Backus and Davis.
Senior returner Aubrey Thomas is stepping into a leadership role and is ready for the responsibility.
“I think the team is going to evolve really well if we just stay focused and put in the work,” Thomas said
She plans to guide and lead the new members to become better cheerleaders.
“I believe the team will only struggle on the elite side of cheerleading,” Aubrey said.
The ‘elite side’ refers to the competition routines, like state and other big competitions rather than sideline cheering.
She believes if they work hard and put in the work the team can achieve elite levels.
By her side she’ll have junior Alexa Bratton, another returnee. Alexa has been on varsity all three years she’s been at the high school.
Alexa is excited for the team bonding and the relationships she’s going to make. “I’m excited to win every day with each other,” she said
Once school ends the cheerleaders will have practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Alexa plans to be there to answer the questions of the new cheerleaders and to make sure they understand what they’re supposed to do. She believes the only problem the team will have is there are a lot of people trying out new positions.
Her goals are that she wants to be a close team, but she also wants the team to work hard and be successful.
Aubrey won’t be the only leader this season with incoming senior Stella Sieber.
“I plan to support them by being a leader and just encouraging everyone to get better,” Stella said.
Stella has been cheering on varsity for three years and is one of the cheerleaders who got a taste of success. She believes in mindset and knows that if they want more the team will all have the same mindset and remember last year.
She wants the team to have high standards and have a clean routine because of how successful they were last year.
Sophomore Ruthie Peckinpaugh had the opportunity to taste victory with the varsity team last year. She has been cheering for four years and did dance for 10 years. She was on the cheer team all through middle school and is now on the varsity team.
In the coming months, the team plans to ramp up their efforts for both football season and competition prep. While some new members are just beginning their high school cheer journey, they’re already showing impressive skill and enthusiasm.
We have some new people who’ve never cheered before or are coming from middle school, but they already have some great skills. Supporting newcomers is a big priority for the team’s veterans, who are taking on mentorship roles to ensure a smooth transition.
Adjusting to the pace and demands of varsity cheer can take time, especially for those who are new to competition and game-day performances. Still, the team recognizes that challenges lie ahead.
With veteran cheerleaders returning, the team’s dynamic remains strong, but the focus is on maintaining intensity and work ethic.
“If we keep working with them, I think they’ll improve a lot and fit in really well,” Ruthie said. “I’ll definitely help guide them—kind of like taking on a ‘big sister’ role.”
The seniors last year were strong role models, and this year’s returning cheerleaders aim to continue that legacy. They’re aware that helping the newcomers feel supported will ultimately make the team stronger.
Some of the new members aren’t experienced cheerleaders, which can present both opportunities and challenges. Learning basic motions and cheers might take some time, but the team believes consistent practice will pay off.
“The main thing we’ll need to work on is keeping a strong work ethic,” Ruthie said. “The seniors last year really pushed us, so we’ll need to step up and keep that same energy going.”
Looking ahead, the team’s goals are ambitious but clear: reclaiming their title at state and making a mark in a tough conference.
“Obviously, I want to win state again,” she said confidently.
“Our conference will be tough this year,” Ruthie said. “New Pal and Pendleton are both bringing back a lot of strong cheerleaders, but if we keep working hard, I think winning both state and conference are goals we can absolutely reach.”
It is sophomore Reese Backus’ first year ever trying cheerleading, but she has been in gymnastics for 10 years. She won both regionals and state in gymnastics competitions.
Reese is excited to bring energy to the team and cheer for someone close to her heart, her brother Grey Backus.
“I’m most excited for the football games,” she shared, “because I get to cheer with my friends and for my brother.”
She’s looking forward to building bonds.
“I think we’ll grow as a team by working together and building friendships,” she said. “The older girls will help me by giving instruction and teaching me cheers.”
But like many teammates, she knows the summer won’t be easy.
“Getting through the hot summer practices will definitely be a challenge,” she admitted.
A gymnast-turned-cheerleader, she brings valuable physical skills and team experience. “Gymnastics helped me by teaching tumbling, building muscle for stunts, and showed me how to work with a team,” Reese said.
Also joining the squad is junior Preslie Blankinship, who has been cheering for seven years and brings a wealth of experience and drive.
“I’m most excited for the away games,” she said. “I experienced them last season and they were so fun.”
This marks her first year on varsity, and she’s ready for the grind.
She’s confident that returning varsity members will help her grow.
“They’ll push me to be the best I can be and support me through any mental blocks,” she said.
Although the team is losing three strong cheerleaders from this school year, she remains optimistic. “We’re also gaining a couple of really good ones,” Preslie said.
Cheer wasn’t always her plan but it found her.
“I’ve been cheering for seven years. I got into it because I loved flipping my body around doing handstands and cartwheels,” Preslie said. “So my mom signed me up for tumbling, and eventually I joined a cheer team.”
Freshman Ava Davis is another cheerleader who brings a blend of gymnastics, middle school cheer, and serious determination. Though she only started cheering in 6th grade, she quickly fell in love with the sport.
“I’m excited to build more relationships with the girls and really bond with them—but also cheering for the Eagles!” she said.
For her, summer is a critical time to develop trust and skill within the team.
She was inspired to try cheer by veteran Malia Schwartz, who made the experience sound rewarding and fun. Now, she’s motivated to live up to the team’s reputation and push herself to meet the high school expectations.
“A big challenge we will probably face is trying to compete at the highest level and bring home another state title,” she said. “I know it can happen, but we will be challenged mentally and physically.”
