The 22-time UCA National Championship team, University of Kentucky, just held tryouts for the 2017-18 squad, and we're already excited to see what the Wildcats will bring to the mat.


"I believe this is a fantastic team...," UK head coach Jomo Thompson said. "I'm always excited about the new possibilities, therefore I always feel better about the new team. Last year's team, however, was special!" 

We agree! The 2017 UCA Championship team will go down in history as one of the Wildcats' most talented teams ever. Relive their incredible finals routine below. 



This season at Kentucky, there are 33 veterans and 18 rookies across both the Blue and White squads. One unique fact about Kentucky? There are no captains; instead, the team waits for leaders to step up to the plate on their own and take charge.

We believe leaders emerge organically from amongst their peers. The person that takes charge, steps forward and leads when needed.

The Wildcats streamed part of their tryout on Instagram Live so the world could get a sneak peek of the talent they'll bring to the mat in the new year.

"I see our strengths as all-around cheerleaders/athletes; the passion and dedication is high in this group," Thompson said. "I believe that is a great strength. We can always improve in all areas, and we intend to do just that."


The coaching staff came away from the tryouts excited about the new talent joining the squad. 

"I was impressed by the poise and maturity of all the freshmen candidates," Thompson said. "We have a great group of exceptional young people with great character. I am most proud of that fact."

The sky is the limit with this group. I expect a great year with a lot of hard work and improvements made by all members of the program.

A few first-year cats stood out among their peers and will be ones to watch in the upcoming year. Georgia native Amber Cabrera drew rave reviews for her tumbling at the tryout and will be trading in her Stingray Orange uniform for a set of blue and white poms. Joining the male cheerleaders on UK's Blue Squad is Chas Welte, a Worlds athlete from Thrive All Stars Onyx. Cassidy Myatt is another standout newbie who was added to the squad from Woodlands Elite Generals.


Get ready to watch Kentucky cheer shoot for the moon come January as they head to Orlando, FL to compete for their 23rd UCA National Championship title. This talented combination of veterans and rookies is sure to impress come Nationals.

Kentucky Cheer 2017-18 Blue Squad

 

Males	Females
Spencer Clan	Whitney Agee
Keyshawn Leflore	Riley Aguiar
Spencer Madden	Amber Cabrera
Josh Marsh	Carolina Goyco
Zack Merrihew	Hannah Hazelwood
Chris Miele	Kelsey LaCroix
Braxton Smith	Maddison Mullin
Chas Welte	Cassidy Myatt
	Dallas Pringle

Kentucky Cheer 2017-18 White Squad 

 

Males	Females
Dylan Barrett	Kennedy Brickey
Caleb Blattner	Taylor Brickey
Caleb Burch	Cheyanne Bustle
Jacob Burnett	Jill Collier
Kaleb Cantrell	Alana Copas
CJ Hawkins	Christina Daughtery
Alex Jones	Jaclyn Fyffe
Alex Mathis	Kristen Gregory
Noah Vorndran	Aerial Griffin
Donavon Rice	Miranda Gunn
Caleb Schulman	Anuhea Keene
Hero Scott	Julia Littleton
Kyle Steele	Brooke McEnaney
David Weaver	Maggie Nosek
Nolan Williamson	Callie Rich
Danny Zickert	Haley Ruiz
	Nicole Saitta
	Kennedy Webster

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