Chaffee senior cheerleader hopes to go out on top

While she's charged with boosting team spirit, Randi Wiley admits to some mixed emotions these days.

As the Chaffee High School senior moves through her final year on the cheerleading squad, she's excited about the team's chances at state, but she's wistful about doing it all for the last time. But between a busy schedule on the court and in the classroom, the active 18-year-old probably won't have too much time to feel nostalgic. Meet Randi Wiley, one of 10 members on Chaffee High School's award-winning squad.

neXt: What do you like best about cheerleading?

Wiley: The competition, regionals and state. State is coming up. I think we have a great squad this year. We have the potential to do very well at state. We've been working hard since this summer. [Chaffee finished first in regionals this year.]

neXt: What's going through your mind as you wrap up six years of cheerleading?

Chaffee senior cheerleader Randi Wiley. (Laura Simon)

Wiley: I'm excited but sad at the same time because this will be the last time I will be competing. I hope I go out with a bang. We got second at state last year. Second is the best we've placed at state.

neXt: What are your favorite stunts?

Wiley: We have really solid lifts. I like the basket toss. That's where we connect hands like a basket and the flier puts her feet in and we toss her up. She does a jump in the air, and we catch her. I'm a base so I do all the throwing. It's pretty physically demanding.

neXt: What do you do when you're not cheerleading?

Wiley: I'm very active in school. I play basketball, run cross country and track. I'm in SBLA. I'm student council president, on varsity club. And I coach and work at Heartland Gymnastics.

neXt: Do you ever sleep?

Wiley: Barely.

neXt: What's your favorite movie?

Wiley: "Finding Nemo." I think it's the funniest movie.

neXt: What advice would you give to an incoming high school freshman?

Wiley: Cherish every minute, because it goes by so fast.