MORGANTOWN — Greenbrier County has a new national champion to celebrate, and her story began right here at Greenbrier West High School. Raelyn Palmer, a proud Cavalier alumna who is now a double major in Psychology and Communications at West Virginia University, has helped the WVU All-Girl Competition Cheer Team win the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) National Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Raelyn, a lifelong cheerleader, began her journey to the national stage at the age of six with World Class All-Stars, where she spent more than a decade honing her skills and passion for the sport. She cheered for Greenbrier West for four years and became an integral part of the Cavaliers’ cheerleading program.
She competed in three state competitions and was cheer captain her senior year, where she was known for her leadership, determination, and free-spirited attitude.
Raelyn first tried out for West Virginia University’s prestigious All-Girl team the summer before her freshman year, which is a Division I athletic program. Making the roster, however, is not the end of the process. The All-Girl team selects more athletes than can compete on the “mat team,” the top performing group in competition.
Athletes must work year-round to earn one of those coveted performance spots, while others serve as backups, constantly striving to advance.
Raelyn did exactly that. As a freshman, she made the mat team — an incredible feat for a first-year athlete — and helped her team finish second at Nationals last year. That close win only fueled the Mountaineers’ desire for redemption.
This year, the hard work paid off. In addition to three days of practice per week from August to April, the team follows a rigorous schedule of strength training, conditioning, and athletic development. And the commitment does not end there.
Raelyn was also chosen to serve on the team’s cheerleader board, where she was in charge of fundraising efforts. In addition to the arduous physical demands of being a Division I athlete, the WVU All-Girl team must raise over $25,000 each year to cover travel costs, airfare, hotel accommodations, food, and competition fees for their trip to Daytona.
The team held cheer clinics, organized a silent auction, and even staged a pageant, all of which Raelyn assisted with and led, demonstrating the team’s commitment both on and off the mat.
All of this preparation resulted in a single 2-minute and 30-second window to perform a flawless routine. At Nationals, WVU executed the perfect routine on Day One, finishing first out of 23 highly competitive teams in their division. On Day Two, they delivered another powerful and precise performance, securing the national title.
For Raelyn, the moment represented the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and heart. Her triumph is more than just a personal accomplishment; it reflects the talent and dedication fostered right here in Greenbrier County.
Raelyn Palmer has represented Greenbrier West and all of southern West Virginia with great pride and excellence, both in the classroom and on the mats. We are so proud of her, as a community.
