For most, flipping through the air with only three other people to support and catch you sounds like a nightmare. But varsity cheer flier and Liberty freshman Elizabeth Wolfe does this every practice, and has been doing so since fifth grade.

“I did cheer in fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. I’ve been practicing for a while,” Wolfe said.

This dedication is seen in her sharp, clean movements as she flips in the air. 

So far, her first year on Liberty’s varsity cheer has had a large impact on the team. 

“Ellie has brought an incredible skill set to the team as well as a great willingness to try new skills without fear,” cheer coach Wes Weidle said.

Weidle also emphasized her importance to the team further into the season.

“She will play a huge role on our competition team as one of our main flyers,” Weidle said.

Wolfe being a flyer comes with a trusted relationship between her and the bases, the people who have to catch her.

“My bases go through the process before I fly so that I know what’s happening and trust them,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe became friends with many of the upperclassmen bases, creating confident bonds between herself and the people supporting her.

“I get ready with the upperclassmen. They always try to include me and teach me stuff so that I know the material and I am ready for practice,” Wolfe said.

In return, Wolfe is a teammate that continues to uplift the people around her.

“She is a great teammate because of her reliability, willingness to try new skills, and push herself outside of her comfort zone, which allows both herself and her teammates to become better,” Weidle said.

 Wolfe has tried out new skills such as a backhand spring, a flying front flip, and complex tosses that test her physical and mental abilities. Her attitude and grit will push her far through the cheer world.

“I’m hoping to pursue this every year in high school, and maybe in college too,” Wolfe said.

The cheer community has supported this dream by continuing to be a place of support that keeps her motivated.

“What I like about the environment is that there’s a community where all the girls support each other,” Wolfe said.

While some people think cheer is only about physical strength, it is also about the energy brought by each person for a good performance, which Wolfe consistently brings to the mat.

“I’m always trying to do my best and get support so that I can be better,” Wolfe said.

When faced with competition season, Wolfe and the rest of the cheer team perform in front of a large crowd of people, which can be stressful.

“It’s nerve wracking, but all the girls on other teams are cheering you on and want you to do your best,” Wolfe said.

Preparation for a competition for Wolfe starts the night before through a sequence of healthy regimens.

“Before competition I go over the routine, watch videos on my phone the night before, and make sure that I’m getting good sleep,” Wolfe said.

All of these are key components to Wolfe feeling her best when performing. 

Feeling prepared then helps her take on the various challenges of cheer.

“Sometimes routines are tricky and scary, but if we hit it, we know that we’re able to do it and advance our skill level, and we can get more points,” Wolfe said.

Ellie continues to be a driving force in Liberty’s varsity cheer team through her energy, daring attitude, and physical skill that will bring her team far through competitions.