The Oklahoma Baptist University cheerleaders, which features former Sallisaw cheerleaders Michaela Taylor and Autumn Henshaw, came in national runners- up in mid April in Daytona Beach, Fla. Now, Sequoyah County can add another local cheerleader to the Bison’s squad.
Vian cheerleader Izzy Clouse signed a letter of intent with OBU in a signing ceremony April 29 at B.J. Traw Gymnasium.
Clouse said that there was more than just cheerleading that led the Vian senior to want to go to the Shawnee fouryear college.
“I’ve always wanted to go to OBU,” she said. “I have some friends that went to OBU, and they said they really liked it. Then, I went to tour the campus, and I loved it so much. It’s really pretty. I think I like it because it’s Christ-led, so I can get closer to Christ. I can do cheer, and I can further my career in trying to get a broadcast journalism major.”
It also had no bearing on Clouse’s decision to go to OBU that the cheerleaders were the national runners-up in NCAA Division II, but she is sure glad to get to be a part of something special like being a part of such a cheerleading program.
“That was not a dealbreaker for me,” the Vian senior cheerleader said. “I was super excited to see that. They have like multiple national champions, so I’m really excited to come on a team like that.”
“I knew Izzy was going to do great things,” Vian cheer coach Jordan Taylor said. “She’s so energetic. She’s an awesome cheerleader. She’s a great leader. OBU is a great fit for her, and they’re going to benefit greatly having her on the squad.”
Clouse was not sure such an opportunity would come her way, but she is pumped about having such an opportunity.
“I never thought I would get to cheer at a collegiate level, and now I will get to,” Clouse said. “So, it’s super exciting, and I can’t wait. I’m so looking forward to it. I’m so ready.”
Taylor wishes she had Clouse for a lot more years, but she knows that her senior cheerleader will do great things at OBU.
“If she could just stay back for a few more years, it would be great,” she said. “I’m excited to see her growth at OBU.”
