Jackson Cheer Sends Four Athletes to College Level

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) — Four Jackson High School cheerleaders signed Wednesday to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level, marking what coaches say is another milestone in the continued growth of Jackson’s cheer program.

Seniors Ava Weber, Brinleigh Rau and Abe Blackburn signed to cheer at Southeast Missouri State University, while Landyn McClanahan signed with Lindenwood University.

For longtime coach Jana Scott, the moment represents more than individual success. She says it reflects years of building a competitive culture focused on growth, discipline and teamwork.

“This is our largest senior group to sign,” Scott said.

Scott said much of the program’s transformation began when Jackson returned to competitive cheer in 2018 after several years away from competition.

“I think what happened was when we started competing, that was when we saw the real change in the culture and the mindset of these athletes,” Scott said. “Once we started doing that, it gave the girls and boys more to strive for, of knowing that they’re trying to reach that level of excellence and that really pushed them.”

Since returning to competition, Jackson’s cheer program has earned multiple state championships and national recognition, helping establish what coaches describe as a growing standard of excellence within the program.

Second-year head coach Lexie Grojean, a Jackson graduate and former SEMO cheerleader herself, said the program continues to challenge athletes both on and off the mat.

Now leading the same program, she once dreamed of coaching, Grojean said she takes pride in helping the next generation of Jackson cheerleaders continue their success at the collegiate level.

“We’ve really created a standard that’s really important to us,” Grojean said. “And the standard keeps being raised every year, the bar keeps being raised, we keep pushing our kids to do even better every year.”

Grojean said watching four athletes continue cheering in college is rewarding, especially after years of seeing their dedication firsthand.

“It makes us really proud of them,” Grojean said. “They’ve all been here for four years. The other two have been here for two years and Abe is on our sideline program being the first boy. So that’s all a compliment in itself. And we’re just really proud that they get to continue on into college.”

Blackburn made school history this year as Jackson’s first male cheerleader, something he said initially felt intimidating.

“Going on to the pit as the first male cheerleader, it was obviously nerve wracking, but I feel like I handled it very well and it was a lot of fun,” Blackburn said.

He said being part of the program allowed him to leave a lasting impact at Jackson.

“It just makes me happy to know that I’m leaving my mark at JHS and I got to do it with my friends,” Blackburn said.

Athletes say one of the biggest reasons behind the program’s success is the environment coaches have created over the years.

“I think the coaches and especially Jana, her working as our main coach for so long has really built up such an amazing program,” Rau said. “One of their biggest things is wanting to make it like a cheer family. We’re not just working to win. We’re working to build a family.”

For Weber, that support helped build confidence throughout her high school career.

“The coaches have been really great, especially Lexie and she’s definitely made me so much more confident,” Weber said. “Anytime that I was thinking I wasn’t good enough or something, she would always give me pep talks.”

McClanahan said moments like Wednesday’s signing ceremony help shine a light on opportunities many people may overlook within the sport.

“It’s not something you see every day,” McClanahan said. “Cheer’s not very popular for around here or like in general. A lot of people look past it, but being able to represent Jackson and go to college, it’s really such an amazing opportunity.”

Scott said beyond wins and championships, coaches hope athletes leave the program understanding the value of hard work and perseverance.

“We have pushed them because we believed in them,” Scott said, “and that it’s going to help them later in life with knowing you can do hard things.”

Jackson Cheer Program:
State Champions: 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
State Runner-Up: 2025
Regional Champions: 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024
NCA Silver Medalists: 2024
Community Service Award: 2025

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