Three Cheers for the Champions!
By: Katy Bennett
Most Wildcat fans enter Rupp Arena and immediately look up, in awe of the eight NCAA National Championship banners hanging from the rafters honoring the accomplishments of the men’s basketball program. But, if you look closely, you’ll notice another championship banner hanging in Rupp Arena honoring 17-time national champions, the University of Kentucky cheerleading squad.
Dynasty does not even begin to describe the University of Kentucky cheerleading squad. The Kentucky Wildcats have become cheerleading's most elite program, winning the Universal Cheerleading Association's National College Cheerleading Championship an unprecedented 17 times, in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 – more than any other Division 1A school. UK's squad is the only team to win back-to-back championships four times, once in 1987 and 1988, again in 1995 and 1996, a third time in 2004 and 2005, and most recently in 2008 and 2009. UK is the only squad ever to win three, four, five, six, seven and eight championships in a row.
Being a cheerleader for the Commonwealth's flagship university is not an easy task.
"What the crowd sees on the field or the floor doesn’t show what hard work, determination and sweat equity that our athletes put into their seemingly effortless performances," T. Lynn Williamson, the cheerleading program’s adviser for over 30 years, said.
Cheerleading is not just smiling and pom poms, signs and football games. Members of UK’s cheerleading squad are athletes at the most elite level. Many start gymnastic training as early as 3 years old and have been involved with cheerleading for most of their lives. Mastering the partner stunt and acrobatic skills demonstrated by each member of the squad takes years of practice.
UK's cheerleading program is divided into two squads, known as the blue squad and the white squad, to support men and women's athletic teams. The blue squad members cheer for football and men's basketball; the white squad members cheer for football, women's basketball and volleyball.
Besides managing their practice and course-work schedules, the UK cheerleaders also serve as ambassadors for the University and travel across the country representing UK at alumni functions, local parades and celebrations, and other university-related events.
UK is led by legendary coach Jomo Thompson, who has the difficult job of "reloading" the team each year to form another national championship contender. However, the state serves as a great resource for building a perennial powerhouse.
"Kentucky is a hot-bed of talented cheerleading programs, from outstanding all-star gyms through championship high school programs. Our program serves as the flagship for the state, and we are so proud of the programs we represent," said Thompson.
The UK cheerleading legacy looks to continue as the 46 men and women who comprise the 2009-2010 squads have their sights set on the school's 18th national championship.
Go Big Blue!
Members of the 2009-2010 squads are:
From Kentucky: Courtney Childers, Lawrenceburg; Jenna Dorman, Walton; Christine Habeeb, Louisville; Jennifer Michelle McNeil, Woodbine; Matthew Springs, Bowling Green; Ryan Heinrich, Paducah; Mandi Banahan, Lexington; Stephanie Johnson, Alexandria; Chelsey Johnson, Madisonville; Dan Jacus, Nicholasville; Michael Culver, Williamsburg; Nick Roten, Shepherdsville; Ashley Phillips, Campbellsville and Lindsey Goderwis, Florence.
Other members: Collin Coble, Lewisville, Texas; Blair Coble, Lewisville, Texas; Jeremy Lumpkin, Picayune, Miss.; Trey Forsyth, Phenix City, Ala.; Mija Schrey, Espoo, Finland;; Kaitlyn Chamberlain, Surfside, Calif.; Allison Greer, Birmingham, Ala.; Chelsea Parker, McDonough, Ga.; Aubree Canestrale, Wallington, N.J.; Daniel Gallaway, Duluth, Ga.; Taryn DeVeau, Carmel, Ind.; Tony Holubik III, Houston, Texas; Ashley Carnes, Canton, Ohio; Brittany Maynard, Grove City, Ohio; Alexandria DeLuca, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Kyle Pierron, Portsmouth, Ohio; Jeffrey Johnson, Arlington Heights, Ill.; Rob Ellery, Middlesex, N.J.; Mason Levy, Columbus, Ga.; Michelle Smith, Chicago, Ill.; Lowell Franklin Douglas Jr., Hazel Green, Ala.; Maurice Grant, Clarksville, Tenn.; Sarah Masters, Lilburn, Ga.; Olivia Rink, Granger, Ind.; Vashti Thongdara. St. Albans, W.Va.; Chris Rodonis, Palatine, Ill.; Reece White, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; Alex Hull, Atlanta, Ga.; Emanuel Williams, Ballwin, Mo.; Blake Johnson,;Prattville, Ala.; Zac Alviar, Bartlett, Ill.; and Zach Persondek, Wyandotte, Mich.
