Presley Walker was last in a cheerleader uniform in junior high school. Nonetheless, she will be putting on one in college in the fall.
“Just some conflicts led me to do other things than cheer in Booneville,” Walker said of the break between junior high and college cheerleader.
With family and friends looking on in the BHS auditorium, Walker signed a commitment letter with the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Tuesday morning.
Athletic Director Josh Walker acknowledged the uniqueness of signing to be a college athlete for a sport in which you did not participate after junior high.
“She’s such an outstanding athlete she was able to go and qualify for their cheer team,” said Walker.
BHS Principal Amy Goers commended Walker for the work necessary to earn a spot on the Lions squad.
Goers noted, “with only 6 percent of high school athletes playing at the college level Presley Walker has joined an elite group of athletes. We know she will represent BHS well and we look forward to seeing her on the sidelines cheering on the Lions."
Walker said she wasn’t anti cheer in high school, she just had other avenues to pursue, namely volleyball and softball, and getting a jump on her career aspirations.
In the sports she earned all conference honors as well as state recognition, including playing as a freshman on a state title softball team. She was also the first Lady Bearcat softball player to hit for the cycle.
“I guess I just woke up one day and knew that I wanted to do something in college to stay fit and in shape,” said Walker.
She signed up for notifications about opportunities and got word of an open cheer tryout and got to work relearning to tumble.
“I went to Statik (Fuzion) and was working and I almost had my full when they closed down,” said Walker.
At the tryout there were “quite a few girls,” Walker said.
Only two were offered and Tuesday’s signature will put her into the UAFS cheer group messaging app because while she will still be involved in one of the sports she excelled at as a Lady Bearcat, it will be from a different angle.
“We will cheer volleyball and basketball,” said Walker. “The seasons starts with training this summer.”
That will be important because she needs to fit her collegiate studies around the cheer requirements. Those studies are directed toward nursing.
“LPN, then bridge to my RN,” said Walker.
Having completed coursework and tests while a student last year, Walker is already a CNA and works at a nursing home in Charleston. She plans to also continue to work when she can as a college athlete.
From now until graduation in May Walker has to attend only a half day to complete credit requirements. She is involved in the library, fashion, coding ,and an English class, all before lunch.
Later, she makes her way to softball practice from there, at least until the season starts in March where she will roam centerfield.
