Cheer in the last 30 years has grown so much, not as just a sideline spirit squad, but as a sport that is competitive and challenging mentally and physically. Now, almost all high schools have a competitive cheer team. Here at Fuquay Varina High School, we have one heck of a team.

This year’s team was led by captains Mo’Asia Bagley and Mariana Linares, who have done cheer for a long time and to this day still love the sport and all the people involved in it.

“I love the community and the family we built and cheering each other on,” said Bagley.

Linares was especially proud of this season as she felt she gave it all that she had and has no regrets looking back on it. 

“I worked harder this year than in past years as when we worked as one team instead of working individually as in past years. When we as a group went to work together, it made me want to go above and beyond this season,” said Linares.

This year’s team featured three seniors, two captains and one senior making her return to the orange and black, Jenni Abernathy. Abernathy was excited about being back in Bengal country and really enjoyed the spotlight as a leader. 

“Being a senior now and looking back on the season, my takeaways are that I was a role model and leader for the younger cheerleaders, and they looked up to me,” said Abernathy. 

The Bengal cheerleaders competed multiple times this year and finished fourth in the state competition. According to coach Kelsey Furse, the Bengal Cheer team had a “9.8 out of 10” season.

“It was a great season. We placed fourth at the state competition and overall were just amazing all year long,” said Furse. 

Furse has coached the cheer team for 10 years and enjoys every moment of it.

“The best part about the job I have as a coach is that I get to continue doing what I love through a different lens. I cheered from seventh grade all through high school. Then after college, I started teaching. I picked up right where I left off and started to coach the sport I love,” said Furse. 

This season was tremendous for the Bengal Cheerleaders, from placing in competitions to always being the loveable crowd raisers we know and love, Fuquay cheer is better than ever and looks forward to more great seasons to come.