Athletes compete hard in their sports and activities. When they are competing, they have fans that come to watch them and cheer them on. There is one group of fans that watches but also looks up to some of these athletes as role models. Altus’ Malorie Wood says that she tries hard to be the best example that she can be for the younger girls.

“It is very important to me to be someone that other athletes look up to,” she stated. “I always try my best to keep a positive attitude and help out wherever it is needed.”

A senior at Altus High School, Malorie is a back spot on the varsity cheer team. She has been cheering for five years and says that it has been a great experience and she loves cheering alongside her teammates.

“This team has played a huge role in my life, especially this year,” she said. “The girls, the guy, and coaches all have made such a huge impact in my life, and I’m so glad my last year is being spent with them. We have spent a lot of hours working together practicing in the gym. Cheer is a mentally challenging sport, so being mentally prepared is just as important as being physically prepared.”

Being a cheerleader, Malorie says that there is someone that she looks up to who competes in the same sport she does.

“I would say that the person that I look up to the most would have to be Gabi Butler,” she said. “She is a really outstanding cheerleader with an outgoing personality, and she makes me want to work harder to be the best I can.”

Along with cheer, Wood is also a member of the 7Link Crew and she serves as student body vice-president. Outside of school, she is a part of the Kay Klub, which is a high school sorority that prepares girls for college and to become all-around young women through community service, fundraisers, and sisterhood.