Preston County Schools

PHS Graduate & Marshall University Student Named All American Cheerleader

[KINGWOOD, WV, December 2023]

On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, Preston High School graduate (class of 2021) Allyson Chandler was recognized during the half-time of the varsity basketball game for her recent accomplishment on being named Division 1 NCA All American Cheerleader. Chandler, daughter of Tommy & Brandy Chandler of Reedsville, attends Marshall University where she is a member of the Marshall University Cheerleading Team. Chandler began cheering early in life, cheering for the local youth league in grades 1^st through 6^th, cheering for CTA Morgantown for 7 years, cheering for West Preston Middle School, and cheering as a member of the varsity cheer team at PHS all four years of high school. Chandler has cheered for Marshall University now for two years and made the Nationals team both years.

To receive the D-1 NCA All American cheerleader title, cheerleaders are selected during team camp based on superior technical skills, leadership, and strong personal values. To try-out participants must be nominated by camp instructors, able to individually complete a running full and toe-touch tuck and complete a provided stunt sequence with the team. The participant only has one opportunity to complete each required skill. This year Marshall University had five cheerleaders selected for D-1 All American, with Chandler being one of those five. Not only are the cheerleaders recognized at camp and nationally, but they also earn points for their team for a potential bid to College Nationals, as well as potentially receive additional scholarship money for the individual athlete.

At Marshall University, Chandler is majoring in nursing with goals of working in labor and delivery or possibly serving as a travel nurse. (Prior to entering Marshall, Chandler attended West Virginia University for one year.)

While Chandler is very honored by the NCA recognition, she is already focused on her next challenge. Chandler said, “It was an honor [to receive All American]. It obviously took a lot of hard work, but I am proud to represent my school with this honor, and I look forward to working with my team at nationals.”

Chandler is the first cheerleader from Preston High School to achieve D-1 NCA All American, as far as PHS Varsity Cheer Coach Tina Silcott can remember. Silcott who teaches English at PHS and has served as varsity cheer coach for the past 16 years said, “Allyson was a dream to coach at Preston High School.  She came into high school as a freshman having all the skills required to be a competition cheerleader.  She could jump well, tumble amazingly, stunt as a flyer and base with expertise, and had great motion technique.  Her general athletic ability set her apart from all the other girls on the team because she just had that "it" factor that every coach dreams of seeing in an athlete.”

Chandler believes “Preston County athletics often gets a bad rap, but it is important for people to know you can be successful with hard work and dedication. Preston County students can find mentors and support to reach their goals.”

Chandler’s dedication is apparent through her many years of cheer experience and the fact that “she never missed a single practice the entire time that she cheered at PHS…[and] would come to cheer practice each day and then go to tumbling classes in the evening without ever taking a break…she was truly dedicated to her craft,” added Silcott.

Chandler and the Marshall University Cheer Team will head to Daytona to compete at nationals in late April. 

Photo caption: Preston High Varsity Cheer Coach Tina Silcott and PHS Athletics recognized class of 2021 graduate Allyson Chandler during the December 20, 2023, varsity basketball game half-time for Chandler's selection as a Division 1 NCA All American Cheerleader. Chandler attends Marshall University where she is a second-year member of the Marshall cheer team. [photo courtesy of Becky Jones Photography]