Good News: GVHS Cheer inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools

     The GVHS Cheer Program was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony for 2022 inductees on Sunday, February 6th at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. 

The Class of 2022 is as follows:
Willie Roaf, Kansas City Chiefs
Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals
Forrest Lucas, founder of Lucas Oil, the namesake for Lucas Oil Speedway & Lucas Oil Stadium
Ken Morrow, a 1980 USA Hockey gold medalist and four-time Stanley Cup champion
Rich Gould, a Branson native and the longest-serving TV sports director in St. Louis history
Julie Dorn, a University of Missouri All-American gymnast
Jay Osborne, the longtime Nixa High School boys basketball coach
Tim Poe, coach of the University of Central Missouri men’s golf program
Steve Hesser, former Glendale High School and Drury University basketball coach
Jon Leamy, the recently retired coach of the Missouri State University men’s soccer program
Mike Swanson, Kansas City Royals Communications Executive
Don Peterson, a 55-year scuba diving coach based in Springfield
Randy Magers, a Missouri State University baseball & basketball standout
Larry Whiteley, Conservationist & Outdoor Journalist
1984-1991 West Plains High School Volleyball Era
Rick Byers, former football coach of St. Pius X High School
1998-2002 St. Pius X High School Football Era
Grain Valley High School Cheerleading Program
Helias Catholic High School Boys Golf Program
Bryan Properties – John Q. Hammons Founder’s Award
Bonnie Keller – Ace Award
Craig Curry – President’s Award

     Grain Valley Cheer began competing in 1992 and has won 18 state championships, which cover the years 2003 to 2005, 2009 to 2014, and 2016 to 2021. In 2012, the program became so large that it competed with two separate varsity squads (Class 3 Small All-Girls & Co-Ed Large). That season, it won state titles in both divisions and continued to do so through 2014 – which explains the 18 titles. Since 2016, its state titles have been in Class 4.
     The program also was state runner-up in 1993, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2015. About 20 cheerleaders have earned All-State, and many have become staffers with the National Cheerleading Association and the Universal Cheerleaders Association. A number of Grain Valley cheerleaders also have competed in NCAA Division I, Division II, and NAIA.
     Linda Sallee guided the 2003 teams, and Delanne Carlson has led the squad since 2009. In 2016, Grain Valley was awarded the MCCA Community Service Award for its volunteer participation in events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Race for the Cure KC, and Light the Night Cancer Survivors Walk Blue Springs.