For the second time in a three-day span, Vian High School saw one of its senior cheerleaders sign a letter of intent.
Two days after Izzy Clouse signed with Oklahoma Baptist University on April 29, fellow cheerleader Annie Neal signed her letter of intent with Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts in a signing ceremony Thursday morning at B.J. Traw Gymnasium.
There were several aspects about OCUSA that made it enticing enough for Neal to sign to cheer for the Eagles.
“When I was a sophomore, I was looking for colleges that helped me with my faith as a Christian and also will help me get to where I was going,” Neal said. “That’s when I started looking into Oklahoma Christian. I just love their cheer program and everything about it, like the faith-based things you can get from it.”
OCUSA cheer coach Susan Jones is glad to have the Lady Wolverine among her 20 cheerleaders for the 2025-26 athletic season and beyond.
“Her cheer abilities are just amazing, and her attitude was even better,” Jones said. “She’s going to be a great fit for Oklahoma Christian University cheer. I’m so excited to get her in the mix. We’ve already had tryouts, and she made the team. We have 14 girls and six guys. We’re looking forward to a really exciting year.”
OCUSA’s academics also was enticing to Neal, who wants to be a physical therapist.
“I wanted to look for the one (school) that had the best program,” she said. “So, when I looked into the (OCUSA physical therapy) program, it is like the top in the state. Then, with all the Christian things, that helped make my decision to go to Oklahoma Christian.”
“I am ecstatic for her,” Vian cheer coach Jordan Taylor. “She had been a tremendous asset to our (Vian cheerleaders) team. I know she will do great things at Oklahoma Christian as well.”
When Neal signed her “John Hancock” to the letter of intent, she turned her lifelong dream into reality.
“I had a dream ever since I was 4 years old to just be cheering outside of high school,” Neal said. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity. I give all glory to God. Honestly, without Him, I would not be here. I have put faith into Jesus and have allowed Him to move my life.”
“She works hard,” Taylor said. “She puts her effort into everything she does. She’ll do just great there.”
