2020-21 Season
William (Will) Thomas
Hometown: Murphysboro, IL
School: Murphysboro High School
Height: 5’7”
Position: Coed
Major: Computer Engineering and Pastoral Ministries
"I chose the spirit program at GU because it already makes me feel at home. GU will encourage my journey in my faith greatly with joining the team on their spiritual journeys."
Josey Moore
Hometown: Liverpool, IL
High school: Lewiston High School
Height: 5’5
Position: Base
Major: Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement
Accolades: Panther Preferred Scholar, 2019 All-American Cheerleader, JV Cheer Captain (two years), Varsity Cheer Captain (two years), Pom Team Captain (three years)
"I decided to be a part of the team because it has always been my dream to cheer in college and I am very excited to be a part of this team of people that all love to cheer for Jesus!"
Grace Carrington
Hometown: Normal, IL
School: Cornerstone Christian Academy ( Bloomington, I)
Height: 5’3”
Position: Utility
Major: Undecided
Accolades: All-American Cheerleader, Best Tumbler (Premier Cheer Camp 2020)
"God led me to Greenville University after lots of prayer. I am excited to use the gifts and talents He has given me to cheer on the Panthers next fall! I am looking forward to competition and building my skills as part of a coed team."
Amber Runyan
Hometown: Bethalto IL
Highschool: Wewahitchka High School
Junior College: Gulf Coast State College
Height: 4’10
Position: flyer
Major: Social work/ministry
"I’m so thankful God has opened the doors for me to be a part of the GU Spirit Program family and incredibly excited to start this new journey."
Ciara Cain
Hometown: Patoka, IL
High School: Patoka Community High School
Club Team: Studio 50 Gym, Dance, and Cheer Center
Height: 5’4”
Position: Base
Major: Exercise Science
Accomplishments: Won Spirit Award two years in a row, and won AAU State Cheerleading Championship in 2017
"I have chosen Greenville because I’m not really apart of the squad yet, but I already feel like I’m apart of the family! Also because you cheer for God, I do that already, but I’m ready to show him everything I got!"
Hailey Underwood
Hometown: Paris, IL
High School: Paris Cooperative High School
Club Team: Flip Fanatics Pose, Marshall, IL
Height: 5’6”
Position: Flyer, Backspot, Base
Major: Nursing
Accomplishments: D2 Summit Qualifier, Florida Nationals champion, Florida Nationals grand champion, cheer max sweep champions.
"My first visit to GU to watch a football game sold me right away on wanting to cheer there. The game day feel is amazing! I honestly felt like home sitting and watching the game"
2019-20 Season
Alyssa Middleton
Hometown: Salem, Illinois
High School: Salem High School
Height: 5’2”
Position: Flyer (Cheer); Dance
Major: Elementary Education and Spanish
Accomplishments: Cheer and Dance Captain, Most Spirited (cheer)
"I am looking forward to being part of Greenville cheer and dance and part of a new family. I’m excited to grow spiritually and physically through cheer and dance and I hope to learn more as I begin a new season of doing what I love!"
Saylor Lappin
Hometown: Mulkeytown, Il
High School: Sesser-Valier High School
Height: 5’2
Position: Flyer
Major: Exercise Science
Accomplishments: 2017 IHSA Cheer State Qualifier, 2017 Most Improved Cheerleader, 2017 and 2018 Holiday Tournament Cheer Champions, and Panther Preferred Scholarship Recipient
"I chose to be a part of the Greenville Cheer Squad because I’ve always wanted to cheer in college and at Greenville I have the opportunity to do cheer and track! I also love the beautiful campus and positive atmosphere that I have experienced during my visits!"
LillieSue Riffle
Hometown: Taylorville, Illinois
High School: Taylorville High School
Height: 5'2
Position: Base
Major: Criminal Justice
Accomplishments: Panther Preferred Scholarship at Greenville University
"I decided to join the Greenville Spirit Program because I have always had a passion for cheer. Greenville University Spirit Program, will provide me with the ability to pursue my love for cheer, and to reach my full potential in college."
Reace Cavanaugh
Attended: Seymour high school / Deerfield Beach High School
Top Gun Large Coed All Star Cheerleading
Height: 6’ 0”
Position: Coed
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science
Accomplishments: Jam fest Super Nationals champion, Cheer Derby National Chanpion, America’s Best National Champion, NCA National Champion, UCA National Champion.
"The reason I decided to be apart of the GU Spirit Program was that I love cheer and want to continue in college. Another reason was the GU Spirit Program looks like it’s one big family which is how my last 2 cheer teams were and a big thing for me is having a team that’s like a family!"
2018-19 Season
Nathaniel Overocker
Hometown: Dana, Illinois
High School: Fieldcrest High School
Position: Coed
Major: Math Education
Amarie White
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
High School: Oakleaf High School
Position: Backspot
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
Accomplishments: 3rd place district champion in weightlifting, CCA Small Junior National champion in 2015, Greenville University Academics scholarship recipient
"I’m excited to be a Panther Cheerleader because it’s been a real dream to cheer for Sean every since I met him. I can’t wait to bring my fierce and sassy attitude to this amazing team!!!!"
Elliott Horn
Hometown: Manor, Texas
High School: Manor High School
Position: Coed
Major: Agribusiness
Accomplishments: I have been an Active FFA member for 7 years and currently hold a Texas FFA Lone Star Degree (highest state degree available to FFA members). I Hold a level 1 Texas State Floral certification as well as being certified in CPR, first aide, and AED. I am an active welder, and enjoy spending time building things with my hands.
"I love staying active and Cheering keeps me moving. I have been cheering for 7 years, and I can't wait to be a part of the Panthers because doing this in college is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn't want to do it with any other team."
Brenden Ramm
Hometown: Fisher Illinois
High School: Fisher High School
Position: Coed
Major: Nursing
Accomplishments: All American Cheerleader, Best Jumps Award, and Senior Cheer Captain
"I'm excited to be a Panther Cheerleader because it allows me to continue in the activity I love most and because everybody on this team are absolute incredible athletes and people to be around."
Heaven Winters
Hometown: Harrisburg, Illinois
High School: Harrisburg High School
Position: Base
Major: Social Work
Accomplishments: 4-year cheerleader, participating in key club, pep club, white hats, Youth for Christ, and making the honor roll.
"I am excited to be a Panther Cheerleader because I’m ready to be a part of a new team and I believe that I will enjoy it. I know it will be good for me and I’m ready to keep doing what I love best with my new team."
Charis Costea
Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin
High School: Homeschooled
Position: Back Spot
Major: Exercise Science
Accomplishments: Bronze Medalist for the 2016 Cheerleading Worlds, multiple National Champion and Grand Champion titles, Jeremy Sanders High Point Award, Performed halftime during an NFL game.
"I have been a competitive cheerleader for the past 11 years, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue pursuing my passion for cheer during college! I have never done sideline cheer before, so I am excited to add in new elements to my cheerleading experience. However, I am most excited to get to share God's love with others and continue growing in my faith through cheer and the community at Greenville!"
Sydney Miller
Hometown: St. Peter, Illinois
High School: South Central High School
Position: Mid-range Flyer
Major: Biology
Accomplishments: Received Varsity letter 3 years, 2018-19 Illinois State Scholar, 2018 Illinois Principal Association Award Recipient
"I have a very strong passion for cheerleading, and to be able to do that in a Christ-centered environment, is all the more! I look forward to the friendships and team bonding it will create. I’m thankful for the opportunity!"
Hannah Lang
Hometown: Waterloo, Illinois
High School: Red Bud High School
Position: Flyer/Tumbler
Major: Pre-Medicine
Accomplishments: 4 years of high school cheer, Most Enthusiastic Award in 2014, Best Tumbling Award in 2015, Best Leader Award in 2016, ICCA State Champion in 2014 with Columbia High School, First place at Holiday Classic Cheer Competition, Level 5 athlete for 5 years, Been cheering for 14 years, A part of team that got best Jumps at WSF Cheer Competition, A part of team that got Best Choreography at Athletics Cheer Competition
"I couldn’t imagine my life without cheerleading, it’s been a part of my life for 14 years. It’s always been my dream to continue cheering in college and I’m so thankful to have this opportunity. I knew cheering at GU was the best decision for me when I saw that the team was such a hardworking group of athletes. I could feel the sense of community, the minute I visited campus. I’m so excited to make lifetime friendships and grow in my faith while pursuing my love for cheer. I can’t wait to be a part of such a talented and amazing team, as well as a Panther!"
2017-18 Season
Shannon Niehaus
Hometown: Hillsboro, IL
High School: Hillsboro High School
Position: Versatile Base and Tumbler
Major: Pre-Nursing
"Greenville College is unique, and I feel that it's the perfect place for me. The cheer program is great and I can't wait to start. I'm thankful to be a part of such a close-knit community."
Chloe Grimes
Hometown: Brocton, IL
Junior College: Lake Land College
Position: Base
Major: Audio Engineering and Youth Ministry
"The moment I heard about Greenville College, I knew it was where I had to go. When I got the call from Coach Sean, I was so excited for the opportunity to be a cheerleader again. I can’t wait to be part of a team that will not only allow me to make great friends, but also let me grow in my faith.”
Desiree Milburn
Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina
Position: Flyer
Major: Early Education
Accomplishments: All-American cheerleader (2016), Varsity cheerleader (2015-2017), Junior Varsity (2014-2015), Softball Manager(2013-2014), First division solo (2011-2014), Dean's Scholar (2017-2021)
"My coach always told me the pros can do anything and never give up on your dream . Being the first cheerleader signing at my school is a true honor and I wanna thank Coach Rauls, my mother, my sister and of course my cheer family for everything they have done for me and the amount of support they all show , I love y'all and I wouldn't know what to do without y'all. I can't wait to be apart of the GC cheer family."
Sammantha Rae Steele
Hometown: Effingham IL
High School: Effingham Public High School
Major: Education and Intercultural and Urban Missions
Position: Base/Flyer
"I chose to go to Greenville because while I was visiting I felt like it was where I could fit in. I love that it has a Christian environment with an amazing cheerleading team where I can continue to peruse my love of the sport."
Skylar Rathz
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
High School: Greenwood Christian Academy
Position: Base/Back Spot
Major: Elementary Education
Accomplishments: Hustle award for golf; ab honor roll
"Cheer has impacted my life for many ways over the years. I am excited to see what God has in store for me at Greenville!"
Shaelynn Deadman
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
High School:Trinity Christian Academy
Junior College: Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ)
Position: Base
Major: Secondary Education/English
Accomplishments: 3x National Champs, 2x Individual National Champs, 2x State Finalists, 4x CCA Cheer Scholar Award
“I am so excited to be a part of the Panther community! I truly felt God working through every step to get me to Greenville. I’m so grateful for the opportunity that GC has offered me to cheer in college. Go Panthers!"
Emily Koberlein
Hometown: Altamont, IL
High School: Altamont Community High School
Position: Base/Flyer/Tumbler
Major: Exercise Science
Accomplishments: Freshman Shining Star, Outstanding Achievement in Team Choreographer, Outstanding Cheerleader(Freshman-Senior), Leadership Award (Junior-Senior), 2x UCA All-American Cheerleader, Varsity Captain
"It has always been a goal of mine to continue my cheerleading career through college and I'm more than excited to begin this journey. GC is the only place I want to be and I'm thankful for this opportunity to not only represent the Panthers but most importantly God while doing what I love."
Amberly Slone
Hometown: Elkville, Illinois
High School: Elverado High School
Club Team: Elverado Falcons
Height: 5’5”
Position: Backspot
Major: Social Work
"I have known I wanted to cheer in college for my whole high school career and have made it one of my main goals to achieve. When I visited Greenville it just felt like home, I feel in love with the atmosphere of the campus and the people! I knew it was where I belonged and the fact that I am able to cheer here has made the decision a million times easier for me!"
