WHS Cheerleaders to Perform in Browns Halftime Show

The 's cheerleading squad will take the field during the Sunday afternoon Browns game against the Tenessee Titans.

As part of the Get Loud With the Browns program, the varsity squad and one JV cheerleader will be performing with about 200 other students from schools all over Northeast Ohio, including Padua and Brecksville.

With nine seniors on the team, captains and seniors Katie Ryba and Jordan Sanders said it’s a great way to end their high school cheering careers.

“It’s exciting!” Sanders said. “It’s a fun way to leave. I’m also excited to be on TV. Most of the girls haven’t been on TV before.” 

The squad tried out for the opportunity about two weeks before the start of school, and has been to several group practices with the other schools.

The Browns are providing the cheerleaders with long-sleeve pink shirts and gray sweatpants, in keeping with the October theme of Breast Cancer Awareness. The girls also get tickets to the game.

“They’re such an extraordinarily nice group of girls,” said coach Nancy English. “I wanted to do something extra.”

Sanders said this will probably be one of her last performances as a cheerleader before heading to college next year. With plans to become a high school counselor and cupcake shop owner, she'll have her schedule pretty full.

Ryba, who also captains Westlake High School’s competitive cheering team, is hoping to continue cheering at a Division II or Division III school.

“I really want to go to Xavier, John Carroll or Notre Dame,” she said.

Ryba tried out for her eighth grade squad and just couldn’t stop after her first year.

“A few mutual friends were trying out and my mom said I should try it out,” she said. “ I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I did. As I kept doing it, I fell more and more in love with it. I just can’t quit.”

To catch the game and the halftime performance, watch WOIO Channel 19 starting at 1 p.m.