Interview with SHS Cheerleader Bella Hurley

Happy holidays, and welcome back to the Winter Edition of Off the Reels! This week, I am featuring an amazing and hard-working athlete. 

Meet SHS Cheerleader Bella Hurley…

Cheer story:

Bella is a senior in high school, and she has cheered on all of Springboro’s Varsity teams: Sideline Football, Sideline Basketball, Competition, and Game Day. Bella’s cheer journey started in second grade. Her mom cheered when she was in high school and knew Springboro had a strong cheer program, so she encouraged Bella to take advantage of her gymnastics and dance skills and try cheerleading. Bella started as soon as she could, but she didn’t immediately fall in love with cheering. She said,“at first it definitely wasn’t my biggest interest,” noting that she tried other sports and activities. However, Bella realized cheer was where she belonged. The friendships and the community she became a part of were unlike those of any other sport she tried. 

Bella’s leadership:

Bella is a natural leader who invests her skills to help her teammates and coaches. She focuses on encouraging her teammates and providing constructive criticism while making an effort to stay positive. In addition to her leader personality, she is the Panther Athletic Council representative for the Game Day team. 

How Bella prepares for competitions:

Bella’s pre-competition routine starts with Starbucks. Then, she and her teammates listen to music on the bus, and they always stretch before they compete. Bella noted that stretching is a very important part of her routine and that she stretches more than is typical. She also told me that she likes to take some time alone“to be with my own thoughts and mentally prepare myself.”

Bella’s high school cheer accomplishments:

Bella and her teammates have accomplished quite a bit during their years in the cheer programs at SHS, but there are two particular accomplishments she is most proud of. Two years ago, Bella was one of only two sophomores to be named to the First Team in the Greater Western Ohio Conference. She said this was when she realized that her hard work was paying off. Another accomplishment Bella is proud of is winning a national title last year with the Game Day squad. The team faced some challenges during the season, but everything came together, and Springboro’s Game Day team became national champions!

Bella’s favorite cheer memories:

Bella’s favorite cheer memories are at Nationals, moments before Springboro was announced as first place. She fondly recalls competing at Nationals in person a few years ago, standing under the lights, holding hands with her team, and hearing the third place and second place teams announced. Bella told me that not hearing Springboro called was the best feeling because it meant they had won. 

What goes through Bella’s mind during stunts:

High school cheerleaders in this region don’t stunt, but Bella has been practicing on her own to prepare for college. Stunts demand athleticism, balance, and trust, and they are composed of bases, spotters, and flyers. Bella has attended several clinics and coaching sessions to develop her abilities as a flyer. I asked her about what’s going through her mind during these challenging and dangerous stunts. She said stunts can be difficult because they are still new to her, but she tells herself to focus, stay calm, and trust herself as well as the person stunting her.

The most difficult thing about cheering:

Bella said the most difficult thing about cheering is the perception others have of the sport. Cheerleaders are not always viewed as athletes, so Bella and other cheerleaders feel the weight of having to prove that they are athletes. She said that after many people watch a cheer competition, they are surprised because it is not what they expected. When they see the precision, teamwork, strength, and coordination for themselves, the stereotypes dissipate, and their perceptions shift. 

Bella on being a successful cheerleader:

If you had not already picked up on the idea that Bella is a hard worker, you will now! To be a successful cheerleader, Bella believes the key is stepping out of your comfort zone. Practice and repetition are the recipe for success, especially for competition cheer. She also said, “you have to go the extra mile by yourself,” and push yourself outside of practice to be a better cheerleader. 

Bella’s plans after high school:

In the fall, Bella will attend Morehead State University where she will be cheering and studying to prepare for medical school. Bella told me that finding a college to cheer at was difficult because each college focuses on different cheer styles. (For example, some colleges are mainly focused on game days, whereas others are focused on competitions.) She had to figure out which style she liked and wanted to be a part of. When Bella went to MSU for a clinic, the culture was welcoming and positive. The MSU coach was also one of the first coaches to approach Bella and say he wanted her on his team. MSU has a very competitive team, and that’s perfect for Bella. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes at Morehead State!

Bella’s advice for cheerleaders/athletes:

Bella wants all other cheerleaders and future cheerleaders to know to “never doubt yourself…know that you are an athlete.” She wants to remind other cheerleaders that it’s not all about size and height, but it’s about how hard you work. She said,“you can cheer anywhere as long as you prove yourself.” For all athletes, Bella advises you to work hard and not rely on other people for your success. Bella’s successful cheer career and commitment to Morehead State is proof that her advice works.