Meet the 2023-24 All-Upstate Competitive Cheer Team, including the Athlete of the Year
The Upstate enjoyed an outstanding competitive cheer season during the 2023-24 school year, winning one SCHSL state championship and having five other programs finish in the top four of the four classifications.
Palmetto won the Class AAA championship, edging Anderson County rival Belton-Honea Path by one point.
Here are the members of the 2023-24 All-Upstate Competitive Cheer team, nominated by their coaches.
Competitive Cheer Athlete of the Year
Isabelle McKee, Palmetto, Sr.
McKee, a six-year member of the Palmetto varsity competitive cheer squad, led the Mustangs to their first state championship since 2018. During her career, she competed as a flyer, main base, side base and backspot and is a four-time All-Region 2-AAA selection.
Palmetto coach Jamie Newsome said McKee was an integral part of the team's championship drive.
"Belle leads the team by example," Newsome said, "both on and off the mat with a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to her team and sport."
First team
Tori Adler, Chesnee: Adler, a senior, competed at main base and flyer and was an elite tumbler for the Eagles, who finished as Class AA runner-up. She was selected All-Region 1-AA.
Auburn Bailey, Wren: Bailey, a sophomore, performed at point flyer for the Golden Hurricanes, who finished fourth in the Class AAA state meet. She was selected as Wren’s Most Valuable Teammate.
Aisha Edmond, Belton-Honea Path: Edmond, a senior backspot / tumbler, is a five-year letterwinner for the Bears, who finished second in the 2023 Class AAA championship and won three state championships with Edmond on the team.
Izzy Hogg, Wren: Hogg, an eighth grader, performed as a backstop. A former team Rookie of the Year, was selected the team’s best dancer and best jumps and received the Choreographers Choice Award.
Reagan Lee, Broome: Lee, a junior, is a four-time all-region selection, including this past season, and an NCA All-American nominee. She has performed at multiple positions for the Centurions and moved back to flyer this season because of teammates' injuries.
Ariella Llera, Palmetto: Llera, a sophomore, is a two-year letterwinner who performed this past season as a side base and point-center. She is a two-time All-Region 2-AAA selection.
Ella Nichols, Dorman: Nichols, a senior side base, is a five-year letterwinner and a three-time All-Region 2-AAAAA selection. She is in the top 3% in GPA in her class and will attend Clemson University nursing school on an academic scholarship.
Chloe Prosser, Daniel: Prosser, a sophomore, is a point flyer and a two-time All-Region 1-AAA selection for the Lions.
Isabell Rainey, T.L. Hanna: Rainey, a senior base, was selected the Region 1-AAAAA Athlete of the Year. A four-year letterwinner, she was the team captain and MVP during the 2023-24 season.
Eathan Vaughn, Palmetto: Vaughn, a senior, was a backspot for the Mustangs. He is a four-time all-region selection and a two-time All-Upstate second-team selection.
Laikyn Westmoreland, Chesnee: Westmoreland, a senior, competed as a flyer and side base for the Eagles, who finished as Class AA runner-up. She was voted Best All-Around by her teammates for the past four seasons.
Allison Wyse, Belton-Honea Path: Wyse, a sophomore, is the best tumbler on the team and its MVP in 2023, when it finished Class AAA runner-up. A flyer for three years, she moved to base in 2023 and was selected the team’s Best Base.
THEY'RE NO. 1: How the Palmetto competitive cheer team won its first state title since 2018
Second team
Emmi Burnham, Woodmont, Sr.
Kenzie Clark, T.L. Hanna, Sr.
Gia Colasanti, Mauldin, Sr.
Jada Douglas, Broome, Sr.
Brennan Erlewine, Hillcrest, Sr.
Mari Goudy, Hillcrest, Sr.
Kimber Hall, Dorman, So.
Brooke Hudak, Daniel, 8th grade
Gia Lemmons, Spartanburg Day
Mary Hannah Willoughby, Spartanburg Day
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Meet the 2023-24 All-Upstate Competitive Cheer Team
