MORGANTOWN- Greenbrier County has a new national champion to celebrate — and her story began right here at Greenbrier West High School. Raelyn Palmer, a proud Cavalier alumna and now a double major in Psychology and Communications at West Virginia University, has helped lead the WVU All-Girl Competition Cheer Team to a National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) National Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.
A lifelong cheerleader, Raelyn’s journey to the national stage began when she was just six years old with World Class All-Stars, where she spent over a decade perfecting her skills and passion for the sport. At Greenbrier West, she cheered all four years, becoming a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ cheer program. She competed in three state competitions and served as cheer captain her senior year, known for her leadership, determination, and high-flying spirit.
Raelyn first tried out for WVU’s prestigious All-Girl team the summer before her freshman year — a team recognized as a Division I athletic program. But simply making the roster isn’t the finish line. The All-Girl team selects more athletes than can compete on the “mat team,” the elite group that performs in competition. Athletes must work year-round to earn one of those coveted performance spots, while others serve as alternates, always pushing to break through.
Raelyn did just that. As a freshman, she earned a spot on the mat team — an extraordinary feat for a first-year athlete — and helped her team place second at Nationals last year. That near-win only fueled the Mountaineers’ hunger for redemption.
This year, that hard work paid off. In addition to scheduled practices three days a week from August through April, the team commits to a rigorous schedule of strength training, conditioning, and additional athletic development. And the commitment doesn’t stop there.
Raelyn was also selected to serve on the team’s cheer board, where she was placed in charge of fundraising efforts. In addition to the grueling physical demands of being a Division I athlete, the WVU All-Girl team is responsible for raising over $25,000 each year to cover travel costs, airfare, hotel accommodations, food, and competition fees for their trip to Daytona. The team hosted cheer clinics, organized a silent auction, and even put on a pageant — all of which Raelyn helped coordinate and lead — showcasing the team’s dedication both on and off the mat.
All of this preparation led to a single 2-minute and 30-second opportunity to perform a flawless routine. At Nationals, WVU hit that perfect routine on Day One, landing them in first place out of 23 highly competitive teams in their division. On Day Two, they did it again — executing another powerful and precise performance that secured the national title.
For Raelyn, the moment was the culmination of years of commitment, sacrifice, and heart. Her triumph is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the talent and dedication nurtured right here in Greenbrier County.
Raelyn Palmer has represented Greenbrier West, and all of southern West Virginia, with incredible pride and excellence — both in the classroom and on the mat. As her community, we couldn’t be prouder.
(Story sent in by Palmer’s coach at West, Shannon Gilkeson)
