Phillippi signs to cheer at William Penn

Nodaway Valley senior Annika Phillippi has a love for cheerleading that she’s taking to the next level. The Wolverine cheerleader will take her talents next school year to William Penn University.

Phillippi is one of three to sign with the school located in Oskaloosa. The others are Lillian Dahl for cheerleading and Aidan Kuster for baseball.

“I think it’s pretty cool [to get to this point],” Phillippi said. “I never really thought I would cheer in college or anything. I love bonding with my teammates, stunting, and everything in general with cheerleading.”

Phillippi considers cheer to be one of her passions. The ability there is to bond with teammates, learn the stunts and all of the skills that go into it have made it exciting for her.

Not unlike any other sport, Phillippi explained that having a positive attitude and willingness to work hard are necessities within the sport of cheer. When asked, Phillippi said it used to offend her when others say cheerleading isn’t a sport, but she believes it is because of her experience in it.

While in high school, Phillippi has cheered on Nodaway Valley’s football, basketball and competition cheer squads.

As she goes to college, Phillippi hopes she’ll be able to grow in her tumbling skills. She feels she’s “pretty good” at stunts but knows she also needs to improve in that area.

In college, Phillippi plans to cheer for the same sports, but instead of a fall competition season, collegiate cheer squads compete in the spring. There are also more comeptitions throughout the season.

While in high school, Phillippi has also been involved in soccer and the musical.