By Thomas Sellers Jr.
One of the nation’s best cheer squads resides in Tipton County. The weekend of Feb. 14-15, the Senior Team from Famous Cheer Company in Atoka traveled to Atlanta to compete in the Cheersports Nationals. Among powerhouse teams from California, Texas, Florida and nearby Georgia, the Senior Co-Ed Level 3 team from Tipton County shined on the platform winning Famous Cheer’s second national championship. The Tinies won Famous Cheer’s grand championship the previous year in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The title brought back to Atoka by the Seniors established Famous Cheer Company on the national scene. “Unbelievable,” Famous Cheer Company co-owner David Jackson said. “We all worked so hard to achieve that goal and we deserve that feeling we got. It was even better for the kids to give that experience. It was an overwhelming for them, 25-times better.” Jackson said the victory of the Seniors validated the long list of championships of the 3-year-old Famous Cheer. Squads have won 10 first place trophies in Memphis, Southaven, Tunica and Nashville. Jackson and fellow owner Steve Henderson opened Famous Cheer Compnay May 1, 2011 at 2094 Tipton Road. On the staff are coaches Rodney Brown and Sammy Mark. Famous Cheer currently has three levels with minis (aged 4-8), juniors (14-under) and seniors (18-under). The Minis are assisted by Tessa Naeyaert. The Juniors have assistant coach Kayla Hillery. And Riana Agliam works with the Seniors. “It’s surreal what we’ve been able to accomplish in three short years,” Jackson said. “We were able to bring back that prestigous title to Atoka, Tenn. Memphis even brought six teams and brought back just one title. We’re on the same level with them.” Jackson said he can identify with the hard work and dedication it took for the Seniors to win the national championship. Jackson’s cheer career took him to The University of Memphis from 2003-08. “So many opportunties were given to me cheering for college,” he recalled. “It helped me along the road of life and it paid for every. Then the life experiences, I traveled all over the world. I got to meet people and I was on ESPN multiple times, just the exposure.” Jackson and the staff at Famous Cheer said current and potential students should attend their program to achieve those goals and pay for college. Famous Cheer Company will hold tryouts in May and the next national competition the Company will attend is in April. With two national championships for the 3-year-old program, Jackson said the rest of the country is put on notice. “We are here to stay,” he concluded. “And there is much more to come.” For more information about Famous Cheer Company, call 304-9623. The 2014 Senior National Champions are Riana Agliam, Abigail Armstrong, BriAnna Barnard , Colton Brewer, Brooke Burton, Ryan Chamberlain, Marrisa Dobmeier, Hatti Gill,Juliana Harris,Alice Hewitt, Kayla Hilleary, Annikka Holt, Michael Houston, Ty Justice, Aston Latimer, Kyndall McVay, Tessa Naeyaert, Maddison Payne, Reagan Phillips, Sara Bailey Phillips, Dora Kate Scott, Maddison Shellenberger, Haley Trainor, Alyssa Williams and Emily Yarbrough.
The 2013 Mini Team at Athletic Campionship Nationals in Fort Walton Beach Florida are Emilie Briley, Marley Parrish, Charlotte Griffin, Mikyla Jackson, Chloe Tucker, Jania Bonds, Charlie Yarbro and Lanie Howe.
