Morristown West Congratulates Cheer Team

Many people say that cheerleading is not a sport, but the Mo’West cheerleaders prove daily that cheer is a sport. Not only do they prove that cheer is a sport, but also that it is one of the most physically demanding and mentally intense sports in the athletic department. 

The 2026-2027 cheer team members starting with the seniors are Zaidyn Edwards, Zyleigh Edwards, Trinity Fortner, Ansleigh Hoover, Kaelianna Stafford, Salah Watson, and Bella Webb.

The juniors include Bella Aten, Nevaeh Bures, Avery Creech, Kenzley Hinton, Addison Phillips, Kynlee Thacker, Savannah West, and Kaitlyn Wright.

Next, the sophomores which includes up Addy Sanders, Alyssa Seal, and Sally Beth Shoun.

Last but not least are the freshmen consisting of Itzel Cruz, Haylee Dean, Kaisley Dillmon, Nora Hall, Brylee Kinder, Taitum Perkey, Megan Potts, Leila Thompson, Lyla Watson, and Isabella Young.

Beyond the smiles, high ponytails, flawless stunts, and cheer routines, lies a foundation of grit and resilience. As head coach of the Mo’West cheer team Coach Jones states, "We challenged our girls to look beyond where they are now and understand the level of dedication, discipline, and consistency needed to grow as a high school team.” Showing that the cheerleaders strive for flawless execution and will accept nothing less than perfection.

The cheer team has been recognized for their talent in several ways including placing second in the TSSAA cheerleading competition. Coach Jones states, “Finishing second last year took a tremendous amount of practice, commitment, and dedication from the entire team.” For anyone that would like to support the cheerleaders in their competition this year it is currently scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026. Keep updated for further information. 

The cheerleaders are everyone's biggest supporters so go out and support them! The cheerleading team has also been recognized by the University of Tennessee’s head cheer coach Chelsea Bowlin. Bowlin worked with the cheerleaders last summer during cheer camp. Jones states, “This summer, our team participated in a four-day camp where the girls focused on strengthening their stunting skills, learning new and more advanced stunts, and putting together their competition routine.” 

 On the team one individual particularly stands out and her name is Ansleigh Hoover. Hoover got the privilege of being selected as an TCCA all state cheerleader. Being recognized by TCCA is an honor because very few girls are selected.

Jones loves being a coach of the team because of everything the athletes have taught her. She has loved watching them grow not only as athletes but also as young ladies. Jones shares that, “Cheerleading teaches so many lessons that extend far beyond the competition floor, football field, and basketball court, such as discipline, confidence, accountability, perseverance, and the importance of working together as a team.”

Kaelianna Stafford, a captain of the cheer team reinforces this by stating, “It is a privilege to be on the cheer team because of all the connections and memories that are made. Cheerleading has made me become a stronger person. It has challenged me and pushed me to my limits. It has most definitely strengthened my faith because when I am in the air flying I have to trust what I can not see. I have to trust that my teammates will catch me when I fall.” The unity and dedication is what separates the Mo’West cheer team from all of the other teams. While the cheerleaders make cheer look easy it is actually very difficult. Stafford states “Cheer is hard because everyone has to be on the same page and we have to be in sync. Another difficulty is you have to keep going and smile no matter what. If you mess up you must brush it off and keep moving forward with a smile on your face.”      

The cheer team is off to a good season and they plan to leave it all on the floor whether it is the turf, the court, or the competition floor. The cheerleaders have made many accomplishments and plan to add more trophies to the trophy case this year.