Stone Memorial’s cheer team will see nine freshmen perform this season.
That stands as the youngest Lady Panthers cheer team ever. Stone Memorial Cheerleading Head Coach Jordan Houston said she continues to be impressed by how much those freshmen have grown.
“They have all just really grown close over the summer,” Houston said. “And that was something that was really needed with this program, so we’re excited to see how that develops throughout the season.”
Houston enters her second full year coaching after taking the job midway through the 2023 school year. Houston cheered at Stone during her four years. Houston said she looks forward to the team bonding.
“It’s pretty much getting an extra family that you get to practice with in the afternoons that end up being your lifelong friends,” Houston said.
England coaches middle school alongside the Junior Panthers league. England had previously coached at the high school as well. England said the team went through a lot of hard days during summer.
“It just showed them how much work and dedication it takes to be a cheerleader,” England said. “It is a very, very big team sport. If they don’t work together, it doesn’t happen.”
Stone Memorial competed in summer camps leading up to the start of their season. The Lady Panthers also competed in a simulation camp at Tennessee Tech, where they received honors for their performance.
