Colby Glidden's journey in cheerleading didn't begin in a bustling gym or under stadium lights. It started in a small town with a big commitment.
"I started cheerleading when I was three years old," said Glidden. "My little town Boonsboro didn't have a rec cheer program at the time, so even from a very young age, I was traveling over 30 minutes just to cheer."
That early commitment set the tone for everything that followed. Years later, Glidden now represents Morehead State Cheer, where she's found both a home and a purpose.
"Morehead has truly become my home away from home, and I couldn't imagine having spent these past four years anywhere else," she said.
Cheer took Glidden far beyond Boonsboro. She competed in Maryland for 13 years (6 years at the Maryland Twisters), then made a leap most teenagers wouldn't dare.
"When I was 16, my parents trusted me with a huge decision: moving to Miami, Florida, to cheer for Top Gun Lady Jags, one of the best cheerleading teams in the world," she said. "I lived independently without my parents for three years while competing at that level, and it was an experience that pushed me to grow up, become independent, and really find out what I was capable of."
That experience shaped her into the athlete, and person she is today.
"Looking back, I think the biggest thing Boonsboro gave me was the foundation," Glidden said. "What started as a little three-year-old traveling 30 minutes just to cheer turned into 20 years of a sport that has shaped so much of who I am today."
When it came time to choose a university, Glidden knew exactly what she was looking for.
"I chose Morehead State for so many reasons," she said. "First and foremost, the nursing program is one of the best, and my education has always been a huge priority for me."
But, it was the cheer program's culture that sealed the deal.
"When I came to a cheer clinic, I immediately felt something different about the program," Glidden said. "The cheerleading program is truly second to none, but what stood out to me most was the family and sisterhood. Everyone was constantly pushing each other to be better. Even when we were competing for the same spot, people wanted success more for their teammate than they wanted it for themselves."
That feeling of belonging made all the difference.
"I knew I wanted to be part of a program where the people around me genuinely wanted to see me grow, both as an athlete and as a person," she said.
For Glidden, the best part of cheer happens in the middle of a routine.
"One of the best things you can experience during a routine is that moment when you hit the hardest skill of the routine," she said. "The buildup from the very beginning to that moment is such an incredible feeling, and then when you finally hit that skill, the crowd roars, but more importantly, the team itself is electric."
That shared energy is what she loves most.
"That is when you know all of the work was truly worth it," Glidden said. "For me, one of the most incredible parts is looking around and realizing that every single person on the team is completely locked in and giving everything they have. You can feel the energy from your teammates, you can hear the crowd, and for those few minutes, everyone is completely connected and experiencing that moment together."
Glidden credits her mom and sister for inspiring her love of the sport.
"Two of the biggest role models in my life, especially when it comes to cheer, are my mom and my sister," she said. "I grew up following in my sister's footsteps because she was also a cheerleader. When I was 12 years old, she became a world champion, and I remember looking at her and thinking, 'I want to do that someday.'"
Her mom's support made everything possible.
"My mom has also been one of my biggest role models because she has always done everything and more to help me accomplish my biggest dreams," Glidden said. "She has sacrificed so much, supported every crazy cheer dream I've had, and has always believed in me, even when things were difficult."
As a senior, Glidden takes pride in mentoring younger teammates.
"One of the biggest things I try to instill in our freshmen and underclassmen is the importance of leading with love," she said. "I want them to understand that this team is so much bigger than any individual athlete, and that the way we treat and support one another is what makes Morehead State so special."
She encourages them to be patient and enjoy the process.
"You don't have to have everything figured out right away," Glidden said. "Give yourself grace, be willing to learn, and trust that you will grow along the way. Be coachable, work hard, and take advantage of every opportunity you are given. But more than anything, be a good teammate."
Glidden's life isn't defined by cheer alone. She's also dedicated to her future in healthcare.
"Outside of cheer, I am studying nursing at Morehead State University," she said. "I've always known that I wanted a career where I could make a real difference in people's lives, and nursing has given me that opportunity."
She's already found a calling within the field.
"After graduation, my first goal is to pass the NCLEX and become a registered nurse," Glidden said. "I hope to work in labor and delivery because my first clinical experience involved helping a midwife deliver a baby, and that experience completely changed my perspective on what I wanted to do with my career."
Eventually, she hopes to return to graduate school.
"I want to become a midwife, with the long-term goal of having my own practice," she said. "I love that nursing allows me to combine my passion for caring for people with my love for women's health and supporting families during some of the most important moments of their lives."
Glidden also has a playful side.
"A hidden talent I have is that I can move my ears and I can scream with my mouth shut," she said with a laugh. And if someone hands her a microphone unexpectedly? "If I had to karaoke song it would be 'Me and You' from the movie Let It Shine."
Looking back on her journey from a determined three-year-old to a senior leader, Glidden's message is simple and powerful: "Never put a limit on what you think you can accomplish," she said. "There will be hard days, setbacks, and moments when you question whether you are good enough, but you have to keep showing up and keep working."
