Stomp and Roar: Coleman signs with SEMO cheerleading squad

The Southeast Missouri State Cheerleading squad will add another member to pump up the crowd next year as Poplar Bluff’s Miles Coleman signed a National Letter of Intent Monday to cheer at Southeast Missouri State University.

“It's definitely great to sign and have my family and friends in attendance,” Coleman said. “I've always had such a good support system, and all my friends and family are always there for me. It's so good to see them here because it’s a big deal for me and everyone who’s been there throughout my journey. I feel really loved and happy to see everyone today.”

Since the age of six, Coleman has lived and breathed cheerleading, enhancing her skills while gaining a few major accolades throughout the years. Coleman got her first taste of success when she placed 14th in the UCA Nationals as a junior high cheer squad member.

During her time on the Poplar Bluff varsity competition cheer squad, Coleman and her team won back-to-back MCCA State Championships in her junior and senior years and received All-State honors for the position of the base.

To be a member of the Redhawks cheer squad, Coleman had to withstand an intense tryout which she knew wouldn’t be an easy task.

“This was definitely a hard tryout, and I kind of knew going into a college tryout was going to be tough because most college teams are pretty cutthroat and not easy to make,” Coleman said. “I just wanted to try my best, be myself and just trust God through the process, and it went well. I was really happy with the turnout, and I love the team I will be with next season, and the coaches are really nice and supportive of me, so I can’t wait.”

Despite not making the final cuts for the competition squad during her sophomore year, head cheer coach Kim Smith knew Coleman was destined for more. Smith is amazed by her continued growth from where Coleman started to where she is now.

“I don't even know how to describe how proud I am of MIles,” Smith said about one of her cheerleaders moving on to the next level. “She has overcome so many obstacles, and for her to make it to this level is just unbelievable. She's so dedicated, so committed and she will be the hardest worker they get. I think she will do okay if she stays on the path that she's on, and she'll be the star of the show.”

Smith said the one thing she will miss about Coleman is the cheering she did for her teammates and how supportive she is. She will be remembered as the hypeman for others and for her ability to make everybody feel better and positive.

During her time on the Poplar Bluff varsity competition cheer squad, Miles Colman and her team won back-to-back MCCA State Championships in her junior and senior years and received All-State honors for the position of the base. Submitted Photo

Moving on from her days as a Mule, Coleman said the bond with her team would be missed the most as it was more like a sisterhood. The school has been a backbone for her, and she will miss the school spirit and how much love everyone has for the sports in Poplar Bluff.

Though her time under the coaches at Poplar Bluff has ended, Coleman is grateful for the lessons and skills she has learned.

“Coach Smith has always been like a mom to me,” Coleman said. “She's been so supportive and led me to cheer at SEMO. She's the person I went to about it, and she coached me through the tryouts and everything. My years here have taught me so much, so I'm really thankful for all my coaches because I wouldn’t be here without them.”

When she’s not cheering for the Redhawks, Coleman plans to major in Marketing Communications. Though stepping onto campus will be a different experience from high school, she’s ready to get started.

“I'm really excited to cheer with a new group of people,” Coleman said. “I grew up cheering with this group of girls since I was six. It will be interesting to meet all these new girls and teammates and grow another bond with them. When I started cheering in high school, I told myself I would never cheer in college, so this is definitely going to be a big deal for me being able to go out of my comfort zone and meet new people.”