TENNERTON — Late this past week, the Big 10 Conference announced its all-conference cheerleading teams. Buckhannon-Upshur High School’s Ellanora Hines was named a Big 10 All-Conference selection for her outstanding achievements both in competition and in the classroom.  

The Big 10 Conference is a cheerleading powerhouse, boasting some of the top competition teams in the state, including 5 that went to states this past year. This makes the selection of the All-Conference cheerleading teams a very challenging process. Despite this, Hines cleared the hurdle due to her combination of skill, leadership, and dedication to excelling in academics. 

B-UHS Head Cheer Coach Christina Nestor took a moment to speak on Hines. “Ellanora is a very hard-working, talented, intelligent, and dedicated student-athlete. She earned this award through her actions, day in and day out. I can always count on her set a good example for our team. She is involved in multiple school activities and groups and manages to balance all the responsibility that goes along with those groups, in addition to sports, all the while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is quite the impressive young lady,” said Nestor.

When asked about the selection process, Nestor stated, “The selection of the team members is always a challenge that I am sure all coaches struggle with. Our team is made up of multiple student athletes deserving of this award.” 

2021-22 Big Ten All Conference Cheer Team 

Coach of the Year: Andrew Banko (Robert C. Byrd) 

Ellanora Hines, Buckhannon Upshur 

Brenna Blauvelt East Fairmont 

Abreonna Parilak, East Fairmont 

Zayah Hedrick, Elkins 

Emma Cross, Fairmont Senior 

Gracie Lamb, Fairmont Senior 

Paytyn Neal, Fairmont Senior 

Alexa Wilson, Fairmont Senior 

Sydney Brooke Hodges, Grafton 

Emmalee Brown, Lincoln 

Sierra Moore, Lincoln 

Kylee Toll, Lincoln 

Katie Ashley, North Marion 

Chloe Booth, North Marion 

Katarina Hypes, Philip Barbour 

Riley Poe, Preston 

Natalie Stemple, Preston 

Jadeah Lownesberry, Robert C. Byrd 

Anna Swiger, Robert C. Byrd

Kynzi Waller, Robert C. Byrd