Growing up in Valparaiso, Ind.,
Tate Wilcox was a big fish in a small pond.
She was a member of the cheerleading squad at Chesterton (Ind.) High School, but traveled with a cheer team in Illinois due to the limited number of competitive cheer programs in Indiana.
But once she graduated high school, Wilcox decided to trade in her small pond for the largest body of water she could find. She wanted to push herself to new heights and become the best cheerleader she could possibly be.
So, she decided to join the most prestigious cheerleading program in the country: Morehead State.
"I had heard of the 'Murph,' which is our team's version of a military workout that includes a timed mile, 60 stunts, 50 tucks, 100 burpees, and another mile, along with the standard of every athlete throwing and landing 10 tucks," Wilcox explained. "I knew I wanted to be pushed, and knowing these standards helped me decide that I wanted to come to Morehead State."
Wilcox knew she had her work cut out for her, but she was ready for the challenge.
After all, when she joined Morehead State's cheerleading team, she was joining the team with the most national championships in the history of the sport. The Eagles have a combined 54 UCA titles in the all-girl and coed divisions.
The standards are high, and the competition is fierce. But Wilcox knew that going in, and she was willing to work as hard as she needed to earn a spot on the team.
"One piece of advice I was told at the beginning of my rookie year was to 'embrace the suck' in all areas of your first year as a college cheerleader," Wilcox said. "Yes, being a rookie is hard. You're not only fighting for your spot on the team but fighting for where you belong among your teammates. The work is hard, and as a first-year, you're most likely getting more heat than anyone else, so we're really told to embrace the sucky moments that make you cry in the shower."
Fortunately for Wilcox, she had a teammate she could relate to.
Her teammate, Toni Barraz, was also from Indiana, and much like Wilcox, she didn't have the crazy cheer experience coming into Morehead State.
"She really connected with me at my recruitment clinics and helped this place feel more like home," Wilcox said. "Now, she's a national champion and all-girl flyer, and I hope to live up to her legacy one day."
For Wilcox, the transition from Indiana to Kentucky took a lot of adjustment.
"I was definitely considered one of the best where I was from, so the transition from Indiana to Kentucky took a lot of adjustment," Wilcox said.
But with the help of friends and teammates like Barraz, Wilcox has made the transition as smooth as possible.
"I love to hang out with my teammates. We study together, cook dinner for each other, and go to the lake when it's warm enough," Wilcox said. "Outside of spending time with my team, I would say cheer is my only 'hobby' and the only one I really have time for at that."
The best part about cheerleading for Wilcox is the family she has around her. There's nothing quite like a performance with the crowd going crazy, the lights shining bright, and her teammates by her side.
"I would say the best part of performing is the family you have around you," Wilcox said. "After you hit that final pyramid and being able to look at all of your closest friends around you experiencing the same joy is a feeling I've never found anywhere outside of cheer."
Outside of cheerleading, there's a little-known fact about Wilcox that not many people know.
She can play the French horn.
"I was a band kid, and I was actually pretty good, too," Wilcox said.
While Wilcox's days as a band kid may be behind her, her days as a cheerleader are just beginning. No matter what the future holds, one thing is certain: Wilcox is ready for any challenge that comes her way.
"Embracing these moments has helped me through them in not only the practice room, but my entire school experience so far," she said.
