NOVINGER,MO. -- A former local athlete from Novinger is a national champion, but it's not your everyday typical male sport.
We are talking about cheerleading!
Cory Smith, a graduate of Adair County R-1 High School in Novinger, is a junior at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. where he's part of the award-winning cheerleading squad.
"It all started with a girl. She was in my biology class. I started my sophomore year, and I was texting her, and she told me to try out so I did," Smith said.
Cory also is on a cheerleading scholarship.
His dad wasn't too thrilled when he first heard the news about his son being a cheerleader, but he quickly warmed up to the idea! Any scholarship makes any college parent happy.
When Cory attended Adair County R-1, he was a typical guy. He played baseball, basketball and ran track.
As a Bearcat cheerleader, Cory has traveled to Washington D.C., Texas, and the Elite 8 in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
The Bearcats also qualified and won the National Championship at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Cory hopes to give back to Northwest Missouri once he completes his college career.
He might even try to get his brother to carry on the tradition.
Congrats to Cory Smith and the 2012 UCA National Cheerleading Champions!
To watch the full routine, click here
To view the press release from Northwest Missouri State University, click here
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