Ayva Boekhout shines brightly on the sideline cheering for the Antlers at every sporting event. Now a senior, Boekhout said she has been cheering since freshman year, and plans to continue her cheerleading career in the near future.

“I’m hoping to cheer in college,” Boekhout said. “I’ve been looking at USD and SDSU.”

As Boekhout finishes her final year cheering on the Antlers, she said she looks forward to attending college as a student-athlete.

During the summer, the cheer team attended UCA camp, a high level cheer camp, where Ayva brought home some hardware.

“I got the All-American award,” Boekhout said.

This award is earned by performing a sideline cheer and dance with a few other people. Then, members of the staff vote and decide if you have shown the highest level of cheer ability. 

Every year, members of the cheer team place their votes for captain, and Boekhout had the honor of receiving the title of co-captain.

“I’m a co-captain; Parker Stevens is my other co-captain, and Lauren Vermeeren is our head captain,” Boekhout said.

Being co-captain of the cheerlead team is a big responsibility, Boekhout said. The captains help at practice, such as acting as a leader for cheers and stunts, as well as helping the head captain make important decisions.

This year, the team has looked a little different, with a new head coach and a diverse squad.

“It’s just a lot more including,” Boekhout said. “We didn’t have to cut any of the girls, so we have a big team.”

Now, instead of performing with eight girls on the mat, they can now perform with closer to twenty-five girls. 

With a new coach, and a new environment, Boekhout said the cheer team is excited for a great year cheering on the Antlers.