Laney Cheer team fundraising for state championship rings

After winning the 2024 NCCCA D1 state title, the girls on the team will have to earn the championship ring - twice

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) – Grins grew on seniors Avery Williams and Jayden Sheesley faces as they reminisced on the moment they heard ‘Laney High School’ named for the first cheer-leading state title in school history.

“It meant everything,” said Williams. “At first it didn’t seem real. But then you go back home and people are congratulating you at school and around your city… and it’s like ‘we did do that’.”

Sheeshley admits the thought of being the first state champion in program history is part of what drove her to work so hard all off season. “I definitely wanted it to happen,” said Seeshley. “I was pushing myself, that was part of my goal while I was running. ‘I want to win, I want to be the first’.”

In reality, the cheer season is nine months. On top of tumbling, jumping, throwing girls in the air, running, weight lifting and other general training; the fact they perform during the fall, winter and spring for a 2:30 routine at the end of the season is what you sign up for when you become a cheerleader. The girls have earned their state championship rings. Now, they need to earn it again.

The team has fundraisers in the works, and is also accepting donations via GoFundMe.

According to cheer coach Nikki Little, she was told the school’s athletic department does not budget for the rings. Laney’s wrestling team had to raise money for their 2023 championship rings as well.