Under the guidance of a new head coach, the State College Area High School cheerleading program is looking to amp up its sideline presence on game nights this year.
Coach Rachel Webb, a SCAHS alumna and a current teacher at Mount Nittany Middle School, brings seven years of coaching experience to her new role.
“Our team is so excited to showcase an overhaul of some of our sideline work,” she said. “The squad aims to build an interactive game night environment. We love the culture and crowd involvement at Penn State games, and are hoping to get our fans excited in similar ways.”
Last year’s team placed first in their division at the District VI championship and qualified for the semi-finals at the PIAA state championship. They also received a bid to the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla. Recently, the team was awarded first place in their division at UCA Camp, where they were also selected to win the Leadership Award.
Coach Webb is assisted by Alyssa May and Mariah LaPorte.
This year’s captains are Taylor Balboni, Rylie Grube, Reagan Leitzell, Ryleigh Leitzell and Emma Wenrick. The varsity team includes 22 athletes — 12 of which are seniors — and the junior varsity team has eight members.
The team will show off their new sideline work at State High football’s first home game of the season, 6 p.m. Friday at the South Track Field against St. Augustine Prep.
