Last Sunday Missouri earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Tigers started this year 13-3 and are now back in the NCAA tourney for the 1st time since 2018. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Maria Kemerling about cheering with her twin sister and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this weekend.
You were born/raised in Missouri: what made you choose Mizzou for college? I have always been a Mizzou fan because I grew up around a family that bled black and gold. Mizzou was the perfect distance from home for me and I was excited to be a part of their cheer program.
You have been cheering for more than a decade and are now a senior on the cheer team: what is your favorite part of being a cheerleader? My favorite part about being a cheerleader is the relationships I have made with my teammates and coaches throughout the years. I know so many people that I would not have known otherwise and they all have touched my life in different ways. Even after my cheer career is over I will still have lasting friendships to hold onto and cherish because of the sport.
1 of your teammates is your twin sister Micaela: who is the better cheerleader, and how competitive are the 2 of you? I would say Micaela and I have different strengths when it comes to cheerleading, but they do not amount to one of us being “better” than the other. Because of this, I would not say we are super-competitive with each other but instead always are encouraging each other to improve. We both have different roles on the team and enjoy supporting one another both on and off the mat.
What does your team do at basketball games during a normal year? During a normal year, the team is responsible for making gameday an enjoyable experience for everyone in the stands. We usually are stunting and tumbling during pregame/timeouts/etc. to showcase our skills and entertain. Unfortunately, this year we have been restricted in that we are not even allowed on the court, but we have still made the best of our space and try to keep the crowd engaged at all times.
You are pre-vet and majoring in Animal Sciences with a minor in Captive Wild Animal Management: why did you pick those subjects, and what is the post-graduation plan? I chose to be pre-vet because this is what I have been pursuing since high school. I had a lot of animal experience before entering college and it has only grown since I have been at Mizzou. I completed an internship at a zoo in Texas this past summer, which really solidified my interest in zoo medicine (hence my minor in Captive Wild Animal Management). After graduation I will be attending MU’s School of Veterinary Medicine and will become a veterinarian after four years there. I am beyond excited to start my journey doing what I love.
How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport? I love basketball and it is definitely my favorite sport to cheer for. It is something about the gameday environment and constant energy that I enjoy the most.
Last night the Tigers made the NCAA tourney as an at-large team: how excited was the student body to get its 1st NCAA tourney appearance since 2018? As a student here, I am always excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our athletic teams. I think I speak for everyone when I say we are so proud of the men’s basketball team this year. Especially as a cheerleader, it is heartwarming to be up close on gameday and watching their hard work and dedication translate into something as exciting as making the NCAA tournament. I truly could not be happier for the men.
Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a dancer for a great basketball team during a pandemic? It is definitely upsetting that we are unable to travel with the team to the tournament in Indianapolis, but we are in a pandemic and everything continues to change around us. I feel like my team and I have been incredibly flexible and understanding this season: we know that every decision made regarding travel/attendance/etc. is made with regard to everyone’s health and safety. We are not frustrated with anyone because we know that there is a valid reason behind every decision.
Your father Kody is an Army officer who has served in Afghanistan/Iraq: how is he doing, and how difficult was it to be away from him for so long? My dad is doing very well and is happy to be home. As a military daughter, it has always been hard being away from my dad when he has to travel for an extended period of time. However, my family has always been very close and supportive so we get through it together.
You are playing Oklahoma tomorrow: any predictions? My confidence is 100% in the Mizzou men because we know how to get the job done: Go Tigers!