A sports team’s success is usually reflected by the awards and honors that they have earned. The Owasso High School cheer team has a long list of accomplishments to their name and head coach Leslie VanMeter says that success is because of the chemistry and determination that her squad has.
“I think our biggest strength is their ability to trust,” she said. “Trust the training process, trust themselves and the skills they have, trust that their teammates are going to do their jobs, and trust in the coaching staff.”
Some of the awards the team has earned are 2020-2021 Large Coed Performance State Championship, 2020-2021 6A Gameday State Championship, 2020 UCA Small All-Girl Silver Medalist, 2020 UCA Small Coed fifth place, 2021 Large Coed Performance State Championship, 2021 Class 6A Gameday State Championship, 2021 NHSCC Gameday National Championship, 2022 Class 6A Performance State Championship, 2022 Class 6A Gameday State Championship, and 2023 Stunt the Sport Class 6A State Champions.
Kennedy Warren is a senior captain for the Lady Rams and she says that cheering for her school and spreading school spirit is something that she really enjoys.
“I love how I get to represent my school and be such a positive influence on the community,” she said. “I am glad I get to lead the crowd and get people involved in our school activities.. Cheering for this school also provides me the opportunity to be a role model for the many younger athletes who want to be just like me one day.”
Another senior captain, Madison Foster, says that being part of the squad is great, knowing that they are there for each other.
“I think the whole team could agree with this, but the number one thing I love about my team is how family oriented we all are,” she said. “We have the constant saying of, ‘do it for the person next to you’. I think of these people as not only teammates but my family. We all have the same goal at the end of the day and agree to do whatever it takes to get it done.”
The hard work paying off is something that junior captain Ava Hiriart enjoys the most.
“My favorite thing about cheering is hearing your name called out for first place and knowing all your hard work has paid off. There’s no place I would rather cheer than Owasso.”
