Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting senior student-athletes from all spring sports whose seasons – and in many cases careers – were cut short due to cancellation of competition across all sports in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

With the coronavirus outbreak bringing a halt to the world of collegiate sports in March, the affects were felt by athletes beyond those in NCAA-sponsored competition. The cancellations also meant an abrupt end for the UCA cheer team, which was preparing for a championship performance at its nationals competition. Today we highlight one of the Cheer seniors who missed out on that chance at a trophy – Callie Kennemore.


What is your major?
Elementary Education 

What are your future plans/career goals?
Be a 1st grade teacher

What were your thoughts when you found out the season was being canceled?
I was extremely sad, our team has put in so much hard work and it all just ended before we even got a chance to compete

What led you to UCA?
I was unsure about UCA but after visiting campus the first time and after attending a cheer clinic I knew this was where I wanted to be and knew I wanted to continue my cheer career here

What has been your favorite thing about your time here?
My favorite thing about my time here at UCA is all of the friendships I've made

What is one of your best memories from your career?
One of the best memories I have from cheering at UCA is last year at Nationals when we hit a 0 deduction routine both days, and that feeling I had at the end of the routine was amazing

What is one of the most embarrassing moments from your career?
One of my most embarrassing moments I've had cheering was my freshman year at Nationals when we were performing on Day 2 and I completely busted my tumbling to my face

Who is someone who has had a major impact on you – be it in your athletic career or personally?
The friends I've made at UCA have had a major impact on me, if I didn't have each one of them I would be lost

What is your favorite activity or best talent outside of your sport?
Outside of cheerleading one of my favorite activities is swimming! 

If you had to be quarantined with four celebrities, who would they be?
Michael B. Jordan, Tiffany Haddish, Khloe Kardashian, Cierra Ramirez 

If you were going to be isolated in your house for a month, what are the first three items you'd make sure to grab at the store?
I would grab hot Funyuns, bread, and dog food

One musical artist you'd recommend to everybody?
One musical artist I'd recommend to everybody would be Young Thug

What's a show you're currently watching, or have recently?
On My Block is one of the several shows i am currently watching

You have the power to make one law – what would it be?
I would make a law that made textbooks completely free

If you could give your 10 year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?
If i could give 10 year old me some advice it would be to not take stuff to seriously and to not stress, do what makes you happy in life and everything will work out



Previous Senior Spotlights:
Paul Rouse - Baseball
Kayla Crutchmer - Softball