There isn’t much downtime for Emma Hale-Lykins.
The Hopkinsville High School senior just wrapped up a memorable cheerleading season that saw her squad become the school’s first to qualify for and compete at UCA Nationals.
With cheering behind her, Emma now turns her attention to softball where she is a senior member of a rebuilding Lady Tiger team.
“It’s refreshing to not have a break and always have something to do,” she said. “Staying busy also keeps my head straight and gives me a goal to strive for.”
Emma’s year actually began last summer when she and her Hoptown cheer teammates began preparing for the competition season one year removed from a trip to the KHSAA State Cheer Meet.
During the season, they qualified for UCA Nationals in Orlando where they placed in the top 20 in their division.
“It brought us together and made us more of a team, and although we didn’t place high, I’m very proud of the team and what we did while we were there,” Emma said.
She said she will miss cheerleading and she will be missed by her coach Kaleigh Stout.
“She is one of our four-year seniors and also a captain on the competition squad. Emma embodies exactly what HHS cheer is all about. Her love for the sport shows through her dedication and enthusiasm at each practice, game, or competition. I have loved coaching Emma and will miss her tremendously next season,” Stout said.
Emma now trades the pom pom for a fielder’s glove on the Hopkinsville High infield where she hopes to bring her leadership skill set to a young and rebuilding team.
In this YSE interview, Emma talked about how she can be a leader on the diamond and what sport she would have liked to have tried in high school.
