Senior Rylee Leisenring, a varsity cheerleader at Tallmadge High School has been cheering for eight years. Leisenring joined Tallmadge Cheerleading in eighth grade, but cheered for American Elite before that from ages 5-8.
¨I decided to cheer because I did all star competitive cheerleading as a kid. Since my mom put me in it I decided I would give school cheer a shot,¨ Leisenring said, talking about her first years of cheerleading and how her love for the sport began. Cheerleading is her favorite sport because of the creative opportunities.
Photo Credit: Cirina Matos
¨I love cheerleading because there is so much creative thinking that goes into each thing. Whether it’s tumbling, choreographing, or stunting there are endless ways you can create things,¨ Leisenring said.
After cheerleading for twelve years Leisenring´s favorite tumbling skill is a back tuck.
¨My favorite skill is a back tuck because it is super difficult to do but it looks super clean,¨ Leisenring said.
Growing up, Leisenring cheered for all-star cheerleading team. She was a flyer, tumbler, and a back spot for other stunt groups. She always loved to travel for competitions, getting to go to new places to cheer was always something she got excited for.
Although she loves the sport so much, there are also some downsides. She said, ¨My least favorite part of cheer would be having to learn the material because sometimes my attention span cannot last that long.¨
Leisenring said she does not plan to continue cheerleading after high school, but if she were to, Leisenring would be on the UCA cheerleading staff or the Louisville cardinals.
Tallmadge Cheerleaders, including Rylee Leisenring, will fight for their spot at Regional Competitions on Sunday, February 2 at Lake High School in Uniontown. The cheerleaders will compete alongside 66 other schools from across Ohio. Students, parents and spectators wanting to watch the cheerleaders fight against 21 other teams their division should arrive no later than 4:00 p.m., with their performance at 4:25 p.m. Qualifiers for State Competition will be announced at 5:15 p.m. following the conclusion of the last performance.
Tickets are available on Hometown Ticketing by searching “OASSA Cheerleading – Northeast Regional” or by following this link, or at the door with cash. Spectators should park and enter through Door 22 on King Church Ave. Concessions will be available but are cash only.
