It’s been a whirlwind year for Owensboro native Khalil Rogers. Named an alternate to Blue Squad and a full-time member of White Squad for the University of Kentucky cheer team, the junior adapted and battled the demands of practicing and competing with both units.
“The people who were Blue Squad alternates had to do four-a-day practices,” Rogers said. “So, we had to go to all four practices, which were two Blue Squad practices and two White Squad practices. At first it was a little hard, but then I had my people with me who pushed me through it. We all got through it together, and it was pretty fun.”
In the end, the rigors of four-a-days culminated in Rogers and White Squad recently winning the University World Cup Cheerleading (UWCC) Premier Large Coed title. Kentucky beat out second-place Iowa Western Community College by more than four points to win the title in the division’s inaugural year.
Kentucky’s Blue Squad was also in attendance, finishing third in the Universal Cheerleading Association Division IA Large Coed competition.
“I am obviously happy,” Rogers said. “All of the work we put in the fall semester was finally paying off. It was a great feeling to hear our name in first place out on stage.”
A grueling process
Over the summer, Kentucky cheer hosted its own home camp, where coaches and staff from other colleges were in attendance for feedback. Rogers acknowledged that a school from Georgia keyed in on the White Squad needing to improve their stunts, advice they took to heart.
“They are a very stunt-heavy team over there,” Rogers said. “Their Large Coed team just won in another division, so their coaches gave us a lot of tips on stunting, and that really helped us a lot in the long run.”
While White Squad focused on their stunts, Rogers continued to evolve as a leader. A naturally quiet person, he has come out of his shell over his three years at Kentucky, helping take the younger athletes under his watch.
“I definitely improved on my ability to be a good teammate,” Rogers said. “Not that I was a bad teammate before, but I have learned to help the younger people and be a mentor to them.”
Alongside preparing for nationals, Kentucky cheer competed in multiple showcases, going to a high school or another college to perform in front of certain teams. It could also entail a private performance in front of friends and family.
Due to a plethora of new faces made up of transfers and incoming freshmen, Rogers acknowledged that this was the best environment he had been in throughout his Kentucky tenure.
“Our team this year was just so close and so special,” Rogers said. “We had a few transfers come in, and they added a lot of energy and positive vibes. Going from football season to basketball season and just being able to cheer and dance with them has been so enjoyable.”
At nationals, Rogers acknowledged that after they finished their performance, there was no doubt that they had won.
“We went out there, and we hit, obviously,” Rogers said. “Everybody did their job very well, and on the floor, I felt how high the energy was. People were screaming in the crowd. It was an amazing feeling to have, knowing that we were doing so great, and it all paid off.”
One more year left
While competition season has come to an end, Rogers and Kentucky cheer are still performing at basketball games. When he isn’t at practice, he has been physically and mentally preparing for the upcoming tryouts in May, with eyes set on staying on Blue Squad with a larger role.
One of the most stressful times of the year, Rogers is just taking it one day at a time, with a focus on challenging himself in stunting and tumbling.
“I’m doing whatever I can to get myself ready,” Rogers said. “It’s really important to me, and the last one hopefully. I am just preparing for that.”
