Photo: Southaven Wildcats competitive cheerleaders (from left) Emily Studer and Sara Raye Dreyfus. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
It’s off the college and more cheerleading for two seniors of the Southaven Wildcats, an all-star competitive cheerleading program based from its gym off Goodman Road in Horn Lake.
The pair of graduating seniors who signed with college programs Monday afternoon were Emily Studer and Sara Raye Dreyfus. Studer joins the cheerleading team at the University of Memphis and Dreyfus will be at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Studer said Memphis learned about her when she went to recruitment clinics and by reaching out to the Tigers’ cheerleading coach.
“When I was four, I came to all star cheer, and I loved it,” Studer said. “The Wildcats really just offer a lot of discipline, they liked me as an athlete and a person, and they put me in a position where I’m able to be able to go to college.”
Dreyfus also felt being with the Wildcats has helped her grow in her skills as a cheerleader.
“It really makes you strive to be better every single day,” Dreyfus said. “Our coach really just inspires us to be better, to be pushing and that’s all we can ask for.”
Dreyfus explained that Southeastern Louisiana learned about her on a recommendation from another college cheerleading coach.
“The Mississippi State coach actually sent over my information to them, because I was in the midst of Mississippi State but then they sent me to Southeastern,” Dreyfus said. “They reached out to me afterwards and got me to tryouts.”
Dreyfus says cheerleading is a constant on her mind, explaining, “I wake up thinking about cheer. I wake up thinking about what tumbling pass I can do, what stunts I can hit, and how I can be better in the sport. Just everything about it consumes me.”
Owner and head coach Resie Ingalls said her gym is in its 26th season in cheerleading and tumbling. It’s website states the organization has won over 60 National Titles, over 20 UCA International All Star Championships, three Cheersport National Championship and a D2 Summit National Championship.
Ingalls said both Studer and Dreyfus are passionate about the sport., nothing, “They love what they do. They’re very hard workers and very good leaders.”
Ingalls said all star cheerleading is more challenging, because the girls compete more. She said her cheerleaders learn a strong work ethic, have responsibility, a love for the sport, and are passionate about it. When they compete, judges look for several things to be done well.
“Judges are looking for perfect technique and performance,” Ingalls said. “They see that they’re enjoying the sport, loving what they’re doing, even if sometimes they might not be loving it, they gotta show that they love it. Excellence, that’s exactly what they’re looking for.
