View the Fall Sports Media Day Photo Album

Douglas County High School varsity cheerleading coach Shannon Jones is in her 13th season leading the squad.

Jones said that while this year’s team is smaller, that “lends itself to a lot of opportunity for team bonding.”

“It also gives us an opportunity to cheer our athletes on in a different manner,” she added.

Jones highlighted five cheerleaders during the recent DCSS Fall Sports Media Day:

• Cameron Adams, junior (co-captain)

• Kennedy Bailey, senior

• Kayla McKinley, junior (captain)

• Shaniah Rucker, sophomore (dance captain)

• Lyriq Veals, junior (team president)

Adams said she is “very excited to see what the girls will bring, their energy and everything.”

Bailey, one of two seniors on this year’s squad, said she is “excited to continue to make bonds with everybody on the team and just enjoy my last year.”

McKinley said team goals are to “go worldwide, be the best that we can, cheer our boys on to the very end and have a good season.”

Rucker said one goal is to “expand our diversity in dances.”

“This year, I feel like my goal is to bring positive energy to not only the games, but to the practices and events and make sure everyone leaves happy and humble and great,” said Veals, who serves as team president and the main liaison between coaches, school administration and the cheer program.