By Scott Metz

Elk City High School sophomore cheerleader Katie Spritz does more than just cheer. She also stunts and is involved with competitive power tumbling. Katie is normally a back spot and main base in both cheerleading and in stunting.  Katie has done cheerleading for four years, stunt for one year, and competitive power tumbling for eight years. 

Katie has multiple role models that have inspire her. Katie explained, “My biggest role models are my mom, my dad, coach Ashleigh, and coach Jamie.  My mom pushed me to be better even when I wanted to give up.  My dad has never let me quit and always reminds me to keep working at it.  Both of my parents are my biggest cheerleaders.  Coach Ashleigh has been there from the beginning.  She taught me how to do my first backhand spring.  Not only power tumbling skills, but how God can help me through anything.  My cheer coach Jamie, refined my skills and taught me that we have to work as a team.”

“My family is my rock, and with being an only child, the spotlight is on me.  Seeing my parent cheering me on and watching their faces when I achieve something on my own.  It is a wondering feeling.”

In terms of what motivates her, Katie stated, “First, it is simply fun, I love the sports I am in.  When it comes to cheering, I love being in front of a crowd, cheering on our players.  Stunting and power tumbling are physically demanding, andI’m constantly driven   to be better and continuously working harder.”

When it comes to a favorite memory of her high school athletic career happened recently. Katie recalls, “My highlight of my career was winning Junior Olympics in tumbling in Greensboro, North Carolina a year ago.”

After graduating from high school, Katie plans on pursuing higher education. Katie stated, 

“After high school, I plan to attend college and hopefully cheer at that same school.  I aspire to become a dentist.”