Bridgeport's Chelsea Eades Finishing Out WVU Cheerleading Career
By Julie Perine on October 05, 2013
Chelsea Eades' senior year as a WVU cheerleader has come quickly. But it’s been a ride of spirit, emotion and friendship.
“I would have to say the best part about cheering has been the friendships I have made throughout it and all the experiences of traveling, attending the games, and the people involved in WVU sports,” said Eades, a 2010 graduate of Bridgeport High School.
She looks forward to the remainder of the 2013 football season and the 2013-2014 basketball season to follow. Long after she graduates with a dental hygiene degree in May, WVU cheerleading will still be a part of her.
“I will take it all with me. Not many people get to say they cheered for WVU and get all the great experiences that I got to have,” Eades said.
She has fond memories of those experiences – and she has banked some favorite moments. A standout game is the 2012 Orange Bowl, when the Mountaineers crushed Clemson 70-33. Another great moment, she said, was getting to cheer and attend ESPN College Game Day in 2011, prior to the Louisiana State University game.
“That whole day was great,” Eades said.
The atmosphere at the LSU game was among the best Eades has experienced. Another which comes to mind is Oct. 11, 2012, when the Mountaineers edged out a 48-45 win over the Texas Longhorns.
Cheering on the Gold and Blue has been quite a ride and the ebb and flow of the team’s victories and losses has definitely been a part of it all. Keeping the fans engaged when the Mountaineers are experiencing a winning season isn’t a difficult job. But during a losing streak, it can be a different story.
“It can make it a little difficult on us,” she said. “It makes it harder to keep the fans interested in the game and keep them loud and cheering for the team.”
Eades, who cheered all the way through Bridgeport Middle School and Bridgeport High School, said she advises upcoming WVU students interested in a continued cheering career to consider trying out for the Mountaineer squad.
“If they are interested, they should definitely go for it! It is a once in a lifetime experience where you get so many memories. I have met many new people from cheering here at WVU,” she said. “Sometimes it is a little rough with studies because at times you stay fairly busy, but most teachers and our coaches are very understanding. Our coaches understand that your studies come first.”
Eades hopes that upon her 2014 graduation, she will find a job in dental hygiene in the Bridgeport/Morgantown area. Her boyfriend, Mountaineer linebacker Wes Tonkery, also a BHS grad, still has another year at WVU. She will, no doubt, stay involved with WVU sports.
“I have always loved watching the Moutaineers play,” she said. “Also, Wes has another year of playing so hopefully I get to attend the games from a different perspective to watch him.”
The WVU varsity cheerleaders cheer at all home football and basketball games and rotate away games. Twelve cheerleaders travel to each, Eades said.
Led by coaches Kris and Christy Davis, the 2013-2014 cheerleaders are Eades, Ryan Messina, Kris Lankford, Eric Jenkins, Jeremy Bell, Blaine Cregan, Marcus Thompson, Justin Bell, Alex Harris, Courtney Craig, Haley Durkacz, Rachel Groggel, Morgan Stickler, Brianna Walsh, Shaleigh McBride, Carly Superick, Krysta Kemp, Alyssa Smith, Kristen Chafin and Lauren Barsa.
Read the Aug. 26, 2012 story about Eades HERE. Read the Aug. 12, 2013 story about Wes Tonkery as part of the WVU team HERE.
Pictured top is Eades; photo by Joe McNemar of D-Max Photography. Other WVU cheer photos are by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.
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