East Mississippi Community College announces 2018-19 cheerleading team

SCOOBA – East Mississippi Community College's 2018-19 cheerleading team was announced this week by second-year EMCC cheer coach Hanna Burnette.

EMCC's 2018-19 cheerleading team and support squad will consist of four returning student-athletes and 16 new members.  Along with returning cheer members Carley Hurst (Caledonia HS), Seth Bircheat (Sulligent, AL) and Steven Thompson (Choctaw County HS), the Lions also bring back sophomore Dalton Robison (North Delta HS), who spent last year serving as EMCC's Leo the Lion mascot.

This year's EMCC cheer squad features three sets of former high school classmates.  Incoming freshmen Morgan Murphy and Landry Payne arrive together on the Scooba campus from Neshoba Central High School.  Fellow newcomers Taylor Krajewski and Katie Gookin, who will serve as an alternate on this year's EMCC cheer team, previously attended Louisville's Winston Academy together.  From the neighboring state of Alabama, freshman De'Landon Broyles will be reunited with EMCC sophomore Seth Bircheat from Sulligent High School.

The 2018-19 East Mississippi cheerleading team also welcomes aboard a freshman quartet from the Jackson metropolitan area in Allie Barnett (Germantown HS), Rachael Champagne (Pearl HS), Omri Parks (Northwest Rankin HS) and Coleman Russell (Brandon HS).

Also new to the EMCC cheer team this upcoming academic year are Jacorey Douglas (Starkville HS), India Jones (West Jones HS), Madison Keenan (Enterprise HS), Shania Moore (Philadelphia HS) and Sha'Kerria Simone' Powe (Wayne County HS).  The Lions will also feature a pair of in-state newcomers to divide the squad's Leo the Lion mascot duties in Jacob Grubbs (Raleigh HS) and Courtavis Hairston (Columbus HS).

"I'm really looking forward to this season because everyone seems eager to learn and grow with one another," Burnette said.  "I'm excited to see what great things they can accomplish together this coming year." 

Last season in Burnette's first year at EMCC's cheer coaching helm, the Lions cheer squad grabbed eighth-place national team honors in the game day open coed division at the 2018 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship held at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Fla.