Prince Edward now has a representative on the Longwood University cheerleading team after freshman Jayden Comer, a former Prince Edward County High School (PECHS) multi-sport athlete, took a rare walk-on path to join the squad.

“She joined us right around Thanksgiving, so she was a late add to the team, because she didn’t initially try out,” Longwood Cheerleading Head Coach Megan Miller said.

Comer had been unsure if she could manage the demanding schedule of weightlifting, practices and 2-4 games a week in addition to her school work. She also played club soccer in the fall.

But Miller needed a flyer, she knew of Comer and reached out to one of Comer’s high school coaches, Carley Fetty, who relayed the message. Comer was invited to a practice of the team, which had already been together for three months, and she noted feeling a lot of pressure as all eyes were on her.

She said Coach Miller had her “trying new stunts, and I was hitting them, and I was like, ‘Wow, I never thought I could do stuff like this.’ Hitting those with those girls really made me feel like part of the team right then and there.”

Coaching Comer for her senior year of high school cheering at Prince Edward was Hannah Ramsey, who, as a former Longwood cheerleader, understands firsthand the significance of Comer’s achievement.

“I was very proud for Jayden and her accomplishment,” Ramsey said. “It takes a lot of skill and talent to make the Longwood cheer team, and she did it. She is representing the PECHS community well, while getting the opportunity to experience being on a Division I team — an experience that truly made a difference for me and that, I believe, will leave an impression on her life.”

After cheering for recreational sports and then four years at the varsity high school level, Comer said making the cut at the NCAA Division I level “shows how much hard work I put into it.”

She noted initially wanting to give cheer up in college, but what unfolded last fall told her, “Maybe it’s not time to give it up yet.”