By Laura Quero / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College cheerleader Rylee Mills has been named as a First Team All-American for the fifth time. 

Mills. a senior, joined the MVC Cheer Program in August of 2019 and since his first year until now, he has been named as First Team All-American every year, becoming the first one to receive the honor five times in the NAIA and Missouri Valley Cheer program’s history. 

“I worked hard, I made sure I was going to the gym, getting extra reps., focusing on the technique and my skills,” Mills said. “Everything is built of the basic techniques, so as long as I was coming to the gym and getting my job done, just devoting as much time as I could.” 

The MVC Cheer team finished seventh at the 2024 NAIA Competitive Cheer National Championship with a total of 88.46 points in the final round performance. 

“The team was a little heart broke that we placed that low after doing so well and hitting our routine most days comparing to some teams that didn’t,” Mills said. “That part of the judging side needs to change, it needs to be more consistent over the entire NAIA.” 

Mills is concluding his college career at Missouri Valley by graduating in May 2024. He already has big plans for his future regarding cheer and his studies. 

“After graduation, I plan on going to Morehead State University to pursue my Master’s Degree and to cheer for the best program in the country,” he said. 

Four other cheerleaders have been named All-American’s: Mackenzie Allison as a First Team All-American, and Kylee Meares, Charles Duvall and Gabriela Lopez as Third Team All-Americans.