Fun and energy have driven everything Lizzie Powell has tried to do this year for Atoka cheer. “My personal goals for this season were to make sure everyone was having fun,” Powell said.
The group set clear goals from the sidelines as well. “The team’s goals for this year were to be louder on the sidelines and gain confidence,” Powell said. “To help achieve this goal, the veterans on the team took turns helping the new girls call cheers and hyped them up every chance we got.” Stunting has also become a defining strength. “The team’s biggest strength right now is stunting,” she said. “We have four solid stunt groups that are doing really well. I am one of the four flyers on the team.”
In practices and games, Powell keeps a close eye on how everyone is feeling. “While learning a new cheer, I watch the girls’ faces to make sure no one gets confused or upset,” she said. Her preparation starts well before she steps onto the mat. “To prepare for performances, I try to watch my diet, stay hydrated, practice as much as possible, while still making sure to get sleep,” she said. “My mindset when I step onto the mat is to have fun but give 110% all the time.”
Powell hopes her example inspires future Atoka athletes. “The legacy I want to leave at Atoka after I graduate is for girls to know that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, even if you’re a girl,” she said. “It might take a lot of time, effort, and mental strength, but your biggest competitor is your mindset.”
Her pride extends to every program wearing Atoka colors. “Something an outsider may not know about our team is the support we have for the sports teams,” she said.
One moment stands out from this year. “My favorite memory from this year in an Atoka uniform would have to be seeing the excitement on the boys’ basketball team’s faces when all of their hard work and dedication finally paid off,” Powell said. “Being there to not only support them but to watch the improvements made from the first game was something I will never forget.”
Off the mat, she stays busy with “softball, cheer, soccer, track, and powerlifting,” she said. “I am a part of the Pride of Atoka marching band. My plans for after high school are to attend college to become a veterinarian.”
