Roland High School cheerleader Madi Whisenant fulfilled a lifelong dream Monday morning when she signed a letter of intent with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in a signing ceremony inside the high school commons.
“Since I was small I wanted to cheer in college,” Whisenant said. “(UAFS cheerleading coach) Brandon Gregory has been my cheer coach since I was in fifth grade. It helped make UAFS the choice.”
“Madi is one of a kind,” Roland Cheer Coach Kensey Richards said. “She is not only talented, but her leadership ability and what she has done for our team is unmatched that any other cheerleader that I’ve ever had. I know as she continues this journey, she will continue to do great things. I’m excited for Brandon over there. I know they’ve got a great relationship. She’s cheered for him for All-Stars. I’m super excited for her and this opportunity. I cannot wait to see what all she accomplishes in four years with Brandon and the UAFS program.”
Monday morning’s signing was a first for Richards as Whisenant is the first cheerleader in her decade-long tenure as cheerleading coach to see her sign to go be a collegiate cheerleader.
“I’m so excited for Madi,” Richards said. “I have been the cheer coach here for 10 years, and is my first athlete in my sport that I’ve coached that I’ve had the honor to decorate and have a signing for.”
While the cheerleading is the primary reason Whisenant signed with UAFS, its academic challenges also made it want to be a reason to sign with the four-year Division II school.
“I’ve heard that it’s a really hard school, and I like to challenge myself,” she said.
Whisenant won’t have to wait long after graduation next month to get her college cheer career underway.
“We start in the summer with practice in June,” the Roland cheerleader said. “I’m super excited. I’ve been practicing.”
Richards said that while she will miss Whisenant, she knows that her cheerleading future is bright.
“She’s definitely one we’re going to miss, but I know she’s going to continue to do good and wonderful things over there,” she said. “I’m excited for her. I hate to lose her. It’s been four years, and we’ve had a long time together. I’m just so happy and pleased that I’ve had a small step in her journey as her coach. We cannot wish anything all the best for her.”
Roland cheerleader Madi Whisenant, seated center, celebrates signing her letter of intent with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in a signing ceremony Monday morning inside the high school commons. Joining the celebration are, front row, from left, parents Nick and Yolanda Whisenant. Back row — Roland Athletic Director Eddie Lewis, Roland Superintendent Lori Wiggins, Roland Cheer Coach Kensey Richards, Roland High School Principal Dara Tyler, Roland Assistant Superintendent Angie Cooke and Roland High School Dean of Students Daniel Richards.
