COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State’s cheer team, under the direction of head coach Ben Schreiber, announces eight new members to be added to the 2021-22 roster. The new members of the team will be arriving from five different states, including four from Ohio. They are:
Claire, a senior at Hilliard Darby High School, will graduate this spring as a scholar-athlete and winner of the All-OCC Athlete Award. She has won best all-around cheerleader two times, best jumps and tumbling award five times, and the most spirited award in her high school career. Her school team, Hilliard Darby High School, has placed first at the OCC competition 2 times and was state champion runner-up two times.
Trisston attends Ridge High School and then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the Pennsylvania State University. He was a team member for the Nittany Lions from 2017-2019 where he won the Most Improved Award, the Coaches Award, the Old Main Award, and competed at the National Championship. Trisston currently trains out of Next Level All-Stars in New Jersey.
Isabel, a senior at John Jay Senior High School has won the Patricia D’ Amato Citizenship Award two times, is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, and a member of the National Honor Society. She currently trains at Next Level All-Stars in New Jersey, but previously won the UCA All-Star National Championship with Xtreme Cheer All Stars out of Connecticut.
Riley, a senior at Olentangy Berlin High School is a six-time scholar-athlete and was initiated into the National Honors Society during her junior year. While taking courses at Columbus State University she earned Dean’s List honors two times. Riley made the varsity team during her sophomore season and was awarded team MVP during her senior season.
Sean is a senior at Klein High School and a member of the “Black Ops” team at Woodlands Elite All-Stars. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and the Spanish National Honor Society. Sean has won numerous all-star championships including the “Majors,” “Summit”, and two NCA titles.
Karsyn, a senior at Kenton Ridge High School, is a two-time second-team member along with being named a first-team all Central Buckeye Conference member during her high school career. She was named team captain her senior year and her team has been CBC conference runner-ups two times as well as placing fifth at the state championship. Karysn’s sister, Kelsie Strother, was a team member from 2014-2018.
William is a graduate from Mountain Vista High School where he was named a 2020 UCA All American. His team placed in the top 10 for his three years at the High School National Championship. William is a two-year Varsity letter winner for both football and the cheer team.
Maddy attends North Royalton High School where, as the three-time team MVP, she helped lead her team to two Suburban League Conference titles. Maddy is also a three-time scholar-athlete, received two Pride in Academic awards in English and biology and is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, she is also a team member for her club team, World Elite All-Stars, where she has competed at “Worlds” five times and will wrap up her club career later this spring competing for the sixth time at the prestigious championship.
“Without hesitation, this is a group of high achievers that comes to Columbus with a great deal of talent,” said head coach Ben Schreiber. “What really stands out is the unique paths all of these athletes have taken to get to OSU all while juggling academics and training through the challenges presented through Covid-19. I believe this group will gel well with our current team and help strengthen our culture for future teams as they support the Buckeyes on the field, on the court, in the community at service events, and on the mat as we prepare to compete at future national championships.”
The cheer team is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2020 UCA Collegiate National Championship preceded by a second-place finish in 2019 and a third place finish in 2018. Ohio State is seeking the program’s fourth national championship with the last coming in 1993.
