2008-2009 KU Cheerleading Squad

Lauren graduated in 2008 as valedictorian of her class. While attending high school, she also took classes at Tarleton State University (in Texas) and competed at NCA College Nationals with them. She plans to major in Pre-Pharmacy.

Lacey was born and raised in Lawrence, KS, where she spent most of her time on the Kansas School of Gymnastics (KSG) team. She attended Lawrence Free State High School where she participated in volleyball, gymnastics, cheerleading, basketball, track, and softball, earning state champion on balance beam and runner-up on floor as well as being the Regional pole vault champion. Lacey also received Free State's James Naismith sportsmanship award and finished in the top 10% of her class. She first went to the University of Nebraska on a Pole Vault scholarship, but after a terrible knee injury she decided to pursue cheerleading again at Barton County Community College for one year. She's majoring in Sports Nutrition and is excited for her third year at KU. "I've always been a Jayhawk at heart!"

Edneesha will be transferring in from Avila University in Kansas City, MO, where she cheered for two years.

I'm from Plano, TX and graduated from Ursuline Academy where I was an All-American cheerleader for three years and captain for two years in addition to cheering two years at Cheer Athletics. This is my third year on the squad and I competed on the Nationals Team as well as being a part of the first partner stunt at KU and finished 13th in the Nation in 2007, and 18th in 2008. I am so excited to be a part of the Jayhawk cheer squad once again and can't wait for the memories that our squad continues to make!! Aside from cheerleading, I am planning to major in Journalism.

Cassie was born in Olathe, Kansas and raised in Wichita, Kansas. Cassie graduated from Andover Central High School in Andover, Kansas where she was a part of her high school cheerleading squad for four years and captain for one year. Cassie recieved an All-American NCA cheerleader award three years in a row and is currently working as an NCA staff member. Cassie also competed nationally for Cheer Eclipse on the Large Senior Co-ed squad her senior year. Cassie is ecsatic about being a jayhawk and being a part of the cheerleading squad. GO HAWKS!!

Marissa cheered at Sun Prairie high school where she twice finished in the top 5 in the national high school partner stunt competition.

Haley was a level 9 gymnast and captain of the Shawnee Mission Northwest varsity team for four years.

Emily cheered and pole vaulted for Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, CO.

Tori went to Millard South High School and cheered for Elite Cheer in Omaha. Tori plans to major in Early Elementary Education. Tori wasn't posted on the original list due to a calculation error. Sorry Tori!

I graduated from Derby High School in the top 5% of my class. I started cheerleading in 3rd grade and continued all through high school. I was on the varsity squad for 3 years, and co-captain my senior year. I was All-American as a Junior with NCA and as a Senior I was a UCA All-Star. I cheered competitively at Cheer Eclipse in Wichita, KS for 2 years! I enjoy cheerleading and I taught cheerleading to the Derby youth for the last three years. This will also be my second year on UCA staff!

Hayley is a gymnast from Olathe East high school.

Elisa has cheered for Wichita North High School, Cheer Fusion, and Cheer Eclipse. Elisa plans to major in Engineering.

Brittany cheered for Tinley Park High School, where she won two state high school cheer championships.

Cheering since second grade, Meghan cheered on her high school varsity team for four years and earned All-American all four years. Meghan was also on the East Elite Senior Level 4 team for two years, winning seven national championships and competing at Worlds twice. She is now very excited to be a Jayhawk!

Sammi started cheerleading in fourth grade and has been cheering ever since. She cheered for Ronald Reagan High School and was a member of the Champions All-Stars Elite cheerleading team back in San Antonio. Sammi was a four-time NCA All-American cheerleader, four-time Most Spirited cheerleader, Most Dedicated, and was voted as Miss Vocal (meaning she was the loudest cheerleader) all four years at Reagan High School. Sammi is an NCA staff member and is thrilled to be a cheerleader at KU! Sammi is majoring in Health and Physical Education and plans to be a high school cheer coach.

Leslie cheered for the Nebraska All-Star Tigers throughout high school, then cheered at Hutchinson Community College (KS) for one year.

Heidi cheered for her high school squad and the G-Force Athletics open squad. This will be her first year cheering at KU.

Dave is a grad student from Tulsa, OK and Holland Hall High School. This is his fourth year on the squad, and he's having a lot of fun increasing his stunting and tumbling skills. Dave plans to keep cheering through grad school while he pursues a Masters in Exercise Science with a career goal of becoming an athletic director.

I come from Overland Park, KS where I was a varsity diver for four years in high school and helped win a state championship in swimming and diving during my senior year. This is my fourth year as a member of the squad, and I hope to continue progressing my tumbling and stunting skills.

Ben played football in high school and is excited for the new challenge of college cheerleading.

Jared has been tumbling for 18 years, competing at eight different national championships and placing in the top 3 four times. He has also coached gymnastics for nine years and cheered in high school and at Independence Community College. Jared is currently working towards a physical therapy degree at KU.

Jeremy cheered at Cheer Fusion in high school, then cheered at Coffeyville Community College (KS). He'll be majoring in Pre-Law.

Reid is new to cheerleading and is excited to get involved while persuing his Law and Business degrees at KU. Reid also played Australian-rules football, many brass instruments, and mixed martial arts.

Chris is on the US national power tumbling team and has won a level 10 national title. He's excited to start cheering and plans to major in Pre-Physical Therapy or Athletic Training.

Andrew is a senior who will be cheering for the first time. He's a former gymnast and is currently in ROTC.

Chace competed for Air Capital and Cheer Eclipse and is excited to be a Jayhawk.

Charles played football in high school but started cheering at Butler Community College. His parents are KU alums and he's happy to carry on the tradition.

Chad grew up a K-State fan but we've convinced him to see the light. He cheered at Shawnee Mission Northwest High.

Jarell will be transferring from Eastern Illinois University, where he cheered for two years and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Dave will be transferring in from Lindenwood University (MO) where he cheered for one year.

I graduated from Circle High School and competed in gymnastics for 12 years, was a five-time state champion, nine-time regional qualifier, and the rings regional runner-up one year. I cheered for Air Capital Spirit for two years (captain both years) and won NCA Top-All American at NCA camp my senior year. I love to practice, compete, and Win. I'm very excited to be cheering for one of the nation's best athletic programs!

Jordan graduated from Andover Central where he played football and competed a few times with Cheer Eclipse. He's majoring in Biology and plans to be an orthopedic surgeon in sports medicine.

Michah cheered for two years in high school then cheered for one year at Coffeyville Community College.

Danny will be beginning his cheer career at KU, and plans to major in Secondary Education - Math.