Following their squad’s award winning performance at the Universal Cheerleader Association (UCA) College Cheerleading  National Championship, cheer co-captains Heather Rolsten and Katie Cambell sat down with the Lion’s Roar to share their enthusiasm.

Lion’s Roar: Why did you choose to come to Southeastern?

Heather Rolfsen: I am originally from Baton Rouge, but I wanted a smaller college where I could have more one on one interaction with the professors and where I didn’t get lost in a class of 800 people.

Katie Campbell: I am from Hammond, so Southeastern is right here in my hometown.

What motivated you to join Southeastern’s Cheer Squad?

KC: I started cheering my ninth grade year at Hammond High and cheered all through high school and was captain my senior year. I just wanted to continue with cheer so I began cheering for Southeastern my freshman year.

HR:  I cheered in sixth grade for my middle school and my freshman and sophomore year at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge and then transferred and cheered my senior year at St. Michaels. I just wanted to continue with cheer and really be involved with the school.

How do you balance school and being on a squad?

KC: It’s not really that difficult. You just have to have good organization skills and have time set aside for homework and for cheer. I’m also a member of Phi Mu and have been since my freshman year. Balancing is really easy actually. You just take time aside for cheer and stay on top of it.

HR: It’s difficult, but definitely not impossible. You have to have good time management and stick with a schedule. School always comes first.

Do you feel that you are looked at differently for being on the squad?

KC: No, I don’t feel pressure to maintain any sort of image. I just feel I represent the school in everything I do. It’s not like I can go out and do what I want. I just feel like I represent the school everywhere I go.

Do you have any good luck charms for competitions or games?

HR: It’s really funny. I think it was on the Little Giants, where they had the game the next morning so he slept with his cleats on. So the night before our competition, I slept with my cheer shoes on. I also keep my rosary on my wrist and just wrap tape around it during games and competitions. I never take it off.

KC: I have a little silver guardian angel and I wear it as a necklace. You can’t wear any jewelry in competition so I always keep it in my bag.

How do you feel being a leader to the girls?

HR: I enjoy it. I feel like if you don’t have anyone to look up to or ask questions or get advice from you will be completely lost. I feel like I’ve done a good job of it.

What will you be taking from cheer with you when you graduate from Southeastern?

HR: Everybody I have met cheering over the past four years, they are just awesome. I guess my favorite thing would be winning second at Nationals. And I love practices, for those two or three hours, no matter what your day was like, you are surrounded by people you love- your cheer family.

How does it feel, winning second place in the nation at Nationals?

HR: I just take pride in knowing that Southeastern hasn’t gotten second in the nation before this year, and knowing that I was a part of it is really rewarding.

KC: I’m glad that we got to represent the school in such a great way. Bringing back second in the nation was a great honor and I’m just glad we got to represent the school. Go Green, Go Gold, Go Lions!