Bradley Collier
Check out some of the best pics from The John Cooper School's game which were captured by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Little did she know that the Falcons needed a cheer coach as the launch of varsity football was just around the corner.
"It was just a coincidence that they needed a cheer coach and I've had a lot of experience doing just that," she said.
She began to build her program, which started off with a bang.
"We had over 20 students come out for our first-ever team," she said. "It's a commitment because we are the only sport that is year-round, so it's a great way to get involved. It starts with cheer camp in the summer, then we cheer in the fall for volleyball and football and for soccer and basketball in the winter. "We train every week at Woodlands Elite to learn stunting and dancing. But, really, it's all about the pep rallies."
The on-campus pep rallies are themed and take months of planning.
"The kids love the pep rallies," she said. "For them, it's all about the details. It really gets the rest of the student body involved."
The team also introduced a new element to the spirit squad – Felix the Falcon – the school's brand-new mascot, who was hatched in 2020-21.
Working together all year really bonds her team, Twellman said as she also tries to sprinkle in life lessons.
"They learn what it means to care about each other and to be true friends…a family," she said. "The seniors this year will be my original class of girls. It's going to be emotional when they graduate because of the bonds we've made."
During the summer cheer camp, Avery Kemp, Denise Simon and Abby Tucker earned All-American honors, which earned them an invite to cheer in London.
"It's been a great experience for me," Tucker said. "You truly get to lead the student body and show off you school spirit. You learn so many lessons in cheer that you can apply to your everyday life.
But this year will be a little different as super-freak Ben Shearer is off to the University of Arkansas. Shearer was the undisputed leader of the pack in TAPPS and throughout the country as a national recruit.
"We are ranked No. 1 again going into the season, but our team is going to look a lot different," Earle, who has a combined 10 state rings between cross country and track at TWCA, said. "We don't have a star like Ben Shearer, but remember, we also had three guys finish in the Top 10 a year ago. They all graduated as well.
"This year we will have more of a traditional pack-running style. We have guys from our No. 2 to No. 6 who are finishing a minute apart. That is great for scoring as a team."
Zach Turner and California move-in Will Bennett look to set the pace in 2021. Bennett is the only senior in the group.
So, how about the girls?
Well, TWCA's ladies have been on the podium nine-straight seasons.
"We usually carry 12 to 15 girls but this year we are under 10 runners," he said. "I'm challenging them to get on the podium for the 10th time in a row.
"Our seniors have been around a while and know what the workload looks like getting ready for the season. I'm going to do my best to keep them healthy so they can peak at the right time."
Seniors Lindsay Worthington and Ellie Johnson have a ton of experience and will be the voices in the locker room. Worthington has verbally committed to Samford for soccer.
Zoe Calimani had a breakout freshman season and is emerging as the top harrier in the bunch.
"She's training with the guys and she really flipped the switch this summer,"
he said. "She wanted to compete in the Junior Olympics in the 800-meters and really realized what it takes to be an elite runner. She's doing things like tracking her sleep and hydration on a daily basis, which are things that older girls usually do. She could have a big year."
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