VYPE: Entering the new school year, what’s your impression of the squad and how ready is the squad for football season and competition season?
Ava Barnett: We are so ready for this upcoming football and competition season! We love getting to be on the sidelines to cheer on our football team and get to show off a little to our parents and friends. We’ve been working so hard to make our routine perfect and have all been working in and out of the gym to better ourselves and hopefully pull off a win this year!

VYPE: What is your favorite memory or moment as a cheerleader for BA?
AB: My favorite memory would have to be going to NCA nationals my freshman year. We were a team of 14 and we were all so close, it was the closest team I’ve ever been on. We all had such good work ethic and determination to win. Although we didn’t win, I’ll still hold that trip to Dallas and that team so close to my heart. 

VYPE: Do you have a favorite subject in school and a favorite teacher?
AB: My favorite subject has always been math, and my favorite teacher I’ve ever had was my 8th grade pre-algebra teacher Mrs. Wallace. 

VYPE: What makes BAHS a great place for you as a student-athlete?
AB: Since BA is such a big school, we have tons and tons of athletes, so I feel like the teachers are very nice and understanding about helping us get caught up when we miss for sports. 

VYPE: As a senior, what are you most excited about this school year?
AB: Of course, I am most excited about getting to cheer at football games, but also getting to experience all the fun school events one last time. 

VYPE: Which teammate keeps everyone laughing, and who is the most serious?
AB: My teammate Jaxon Roop, he is a junior and has only been cheering for two years. He is easily both serious and so funny. He’s the one who is always making everyone laugh with his jokes and he’s the teammate who is the most encouraging and holds us accountable on those harder days. 

VYPE: How do you mentally prepare for competition?
AB: As a team every year we all hold hands and someone says a prayer before we go on, and right before we step onto the floor, we do our team break and our special handshakes with our friends. 

VYPE: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
AB: This was from my cheer coach: “If you’re not going to do it for yourself, do it for your team.” 

VYPE: What’s the goal for life after high school?
AB: I’d love to go to school at the University of Oklahoma. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to study but I know for sure that’s where I want to go!