Barker was a cheerleader for the Bulldogs at New Albany High School. During her time there, she has won three Indiana state competitions.
FLYING HIGH
CHEERING AND COACHING APPEAL TO LOCAL WOMEN
Story by Erick Hackman / Photos Submitted
Cheering for a person someone supports, a sports team, musician and more has been around since civilization has started.
According to the USA Federation for Sport Cheering( USA Cheer), the first organized crowd chant took place at Ivy League college sporting events in the 1860’ s.
Later in 1898 at the University of Minnesota, Johnny Campbell was a student at the college. One day at one of the school’ s sporting events, he jumped over the fence and lead the students in a chant. Campbell is deemed as the first cheerleader.
Since then, USA Cheer has reported that there are over 3 million cheerleaders in America participating in youth rec, all-star, school cheer and STUNT.
MAY / JUNE 2025 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE NO. 11