BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Samford University Athletic Department introduced the 2018-19 Samford Spirit Squad following a full day of tryouts Saturday night.
Samford Cheerleading alumna and current Spirit Coordinator,
Dixie Owens, called Saturday's tryout "extremely close" among the finalists.
"We had a really great pool of talent this year," Owens said. "Frankly, all of our final candidates were well qualified to represent our Bulldogs."
Over 30 candidates took part in a full day of rigorous tryouts and in-depth interviews. A total of 18 Samford students were ultimately invited to serve on the Cheer Squad, along with two individuals who will lead the "Friends of SAM' initiative, in service to the official Samford Athletics mascot, SAM.
Together, this group will promote school spirit both on and off campus throughout Samford University's 2018-19 academic calendar and will serve as public relations ambassadors for Samford's 17 intercollegiate athletic programs and the University itself.
The 2018-2019 Spirit Squad is made up of 11 returning members and nine newcomers. Senior
Rachel Loughney was chosen to serve as Captain of the 2018-2019 Samford Spirit Squad, while sophomore
Hannah Atchley was selected to lead the "Friends of SAM."
2018-2019 Samford Spirit Squad - CHEER
Rachel Loughney (Destin, Fla.)
Saige Avis (Stoneville, N.C.)
Emily Fredrickson, (Cypress, Texas)
Lauren Gauldin (Lincoln, Ala.)
Talon Geissler (Franklin, Tenn.)
Anna Jackson (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.)
Abigail Jones (Pell City, Ala.)
Avery Roberson (Madison, Miss.)
Savannah Tate (Hamilton, Ala.)
Charlotte Williams (Tallapoosa, Ga.)
Katherine Catlett (New Market, Tenn.)
Amber Boggs (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
Caylin Gatchell (Loxahatchee, Fla.)
Meghan Iadevaia (Dallas, Texas)
Mary Whitten Samford (Opelika, Ala.)
Mackenzie Simpson (Franklin, Tenn.)
Kendall Waldrop (McCalla, Ala.)
Rachel Woodruff (Sanford, Fla.)
2018-2019 Samford Spirit Squad – Friends of SAM
Hannah Atchley (Sylvania, Ala.)
Will Green (Atlanta, Ga.)
