By Elizabeth Contreras
Starting high school can come with a lot of pressure, but freshman cheerleader Kynslee Riley has learned that it’s about leaning into something she loves and continuing to grow.
Riley has been cheering for three years, stating that it was the influence of others that sparked her interest in the sport.
“My friends did it growing up and it just looked so fun,” said Riley.
Now a confident flyer for Hartshorne, Riley continues to work towards finding her strength above the mat. A skill she continues to refine, and one she has seen the most improvement in, is her liberty. Over time she has seen major improvement in her stability, attributing not only her hard work but also the trust she’s built with her stunt group.
Riley looks for inspiration in others, especially Brentlee Wood, whom she admires for balancing both cheer and softball while maintaining a positive attitude. Those examples have contributed to her mindset amidst her own challenges. Describing herself as bubbly, energetic, and sometimes sensitive, she said her team reflects a similar balance.
“We are a very fun but hardworking team,” said Riley.
And while many people believe cheer is confined to supporting other sports, Riley emphasized that it’s much more.
“We do a lot more than just cheer for sports teams,” Riley said, “and we work all summer on stunts and cheers to perfect them.”
Outside of performances, she is committed to improving her flexibility and maintaining her tumbling skills, always striving for improvement. Her work ethic has not only aided her growth as an athlete, but also as a teammate who understands the importance of consistency and trust.
Because of the impact cheer has had on her, Riley hopes to give that same experience to others. She wants to invest in younger girls coming into the program, helping them learn the fundamentals, build confidence, and feel supported as they find their place on the team.
Her advice to younger girls is to be confident, not hesitate, and seize opportunities when they arise.
As she continues to grow, Riley is proving she’s not just building confidence in herself but helping inspire it into others. She is starting to become someone younger girls can look up to, not just for her skills, but for the way she shows up for her team.
