VIAN, Okla. — “My personal goals this season was to win a state championship and be selected for the All-State cheer team,” said Vian High School senior Halli Russell, who has spent her final year leading the Wolverines cheer squad with focus and determination.
Russell’s pursuit of excellence wasn’t solely individual. She credited her teammates for creating an encouraging and unified atmosphere that helped push their successes this season. “My team morale has been filled with positivity and confidence,” she said. “My team is always supportive of each other and tries to help everyone succeed.”
That bond translated into measurable growth on the mat. “The biggest improvement I have seen from my team is in our stunting and tumbling skills,” Russell said. “Those two things have improved drastically this season.”
The team’s work paid off in competition. “Our team’s goals were to place higher at state, so we added more difficult choreography,” Russell said. “For traditional cheer competition, our team advanced to state and placed fifth overall. For Gameday cheer competition, we won state. It was a very successful year on the mat.”
Russell said a collective mindset contributed to their success. “My team’s biggest strength is always having a positive attitude and the want to keep improving,” she said. “When I step on the mat, my mindset is filled with confidence and trust in myself and my team. We don’t think when we step on the mat because it is muscle memory.”
The senior is proud to represent Vian both on and off the mat. “The legacy I want to leave at Vian is having confidence and determination in yourself and in your team,” Russell said.
She also expressed appreciation for her mentor. “My cheer coach, Jordan Taylor, has impacted me the most all four years of cheer,” she said. “She helped me gain confidence in myself and pushed me to improve each day. I’m so thankful for her because she helped me know my potential.”
Russell plans to attend Northeastern State University in fall 2026 while continuing to embody the drive that made her one of Oklahoma’s top cheerleaders.
