UW Spirit Spotlight: Lauryn Williams

LARAMIE -- Have you ever wondered what the story is behind the University of Wyoming's Spirit Squad?

Who are they? Where are they from? What they do?

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The UW Cheerleaders, and Wyoming mascot, Pistol Pete, have a great time supporting UW athletics and showcasing their skills at various sporting events, as well as making appearances throughout the community and all over the great state of Wyoming.

During the football season, 7220sports.com’s DJ Johnson will bring you the segment “Spirit Spotlight," highlighting some of the athletes that make it all happen.

Name: Lauryn Williams

Hometown: Englewood, Colorado

School Year: Senior

Major: Business Management and Business Marketing

Spirt Squad Year: Fourth

7220sports: Given the fact that last year was a wash, what did you personally do to stay busy and maintain your level of commitment and motivation?

Lauryn: I actually am roommates with another girl who is on the cheer team and she was really into going to the gym, so I stayed fit by going to the gym with her, which was really nice. Also, I attended all of the open gyms that we would have. Even though we were limited on team practices, we would set up our own where we go and practice stunts and dances.

7220sports: After missing last year, give me the first thing that comes to your mind that describes how you feel about being on the sidelines at War Memorial this year?

Lauryn: Everybody talks about their first game and how they got chills and adrenaline rushes. I don’t think I had experienced that until we got back on the field this year. I was just super excited and had a bunch of chills, and when the horse ran out, the band was playing, I was just so excited, but at the same time, I was also kind of sad because I knew that this was my last year.

7220sports: How do you manage your athletic responsibilities with your academic workload?

Lauryn: For a long time it was hard for me to figure out. I really do care about cheer and how I do, but at the same time I also care a lot about my academic workload and how I do in school. So, I think I just finally got the hang of it and prioritized which one needs to be more concerning of my time. For me, being organized and making a list to determine which one comes first, has really helped me manage my time better.

7220sports: What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of cheer?

Lauryn: I actually have a marketing internship with the UW Athletic Department. I get to work behind the scenes of the games that I don’t cheer, which is really nice. I help run the timeouts during basketball games, sometimes the music and video board, which I have found that I really enjoy. I also really like to hang out with my friends. I don’t think that I’ve really enjoyed that as much until after COVID, and now it’s really nice to do the little things like have dinner with my friends and all of the other things we weren’t allowed to do last year.

7220sports: Do you have any pre-game superstitions? You know, those weird things that only you understand or do for reasons unknown to others?

Lauryn: I actually do. I have two. The first one is that I leave my cheer shoes tied, unless I have a bad practice or a bad game. I know that’s really bad because you should re-tie your shoes every time, but I found that if I don’t re-tie them after a good practice or game, I feel like I keep that professionalism going. I don’t know why I do it, but I just recently realized that I do. Second, I wear the same gameday socks. We have to wear white no-show socks on gameday and I make sure that I always wear the exact same pair.

7220sports: How important is an athlete's public image?

Lauryn: I think it’s extremely important. I never realized how important it was until two years ago, when I was at the store and a lady recognized me from being on the cheer team. She told me that her daughter watches me every time I’m on the sideline and I never knew that we were noticed like that. It just made me realize that people are watching what you do and they know what you’re representing. So, it’s very important that you’re always doing what you’re supposed to be doing.

7220sports: The ‘Beer Song’ is a classic Wyoming tradition. What goes through your mind when you hear the band start to play it and the students start to sing?

Lauryn: Honestly, I just always think that this is just so unique for a school to have a song like this. I know a lot of cheerleaders that go to different schools and I know nobody has a song like this one. I remember when I fist came to college, I was like, this is so weird, and I had no idea why they had a song like this. Now, it seems like something that’s just normal.

7220sports: If you could have dinner with any person -- living or not -- who would it be and why?

Lauryn: Beyonce. From a young age, I always loved Beyonce and I would love to meet her. I don’t know if I would be able to say anything at the dinner, but I would definitely enjoy just being in her presence. I would really like to know how she deals with being in the public eye, dealing with social media and the rumors that float around – just to understand how she deals with it.

My favorite food is: turkey burger

My favorite restaurant in Laramie is: Mizu Sushi

My favorite music artist is: Beyonce, Lil Baby, 21 Savage

Beach or mountains? Beach

Describe Laramie in 5 words: Cold, small, kind, a movie

My favorite thing about football game day is: When the horse runs on the field and the smoke starts

The one thing I can't live without is: My mom

Favorite quote: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - Peter 5:7

For more about Lauryn, you can follow him on Instagram @elboogiew

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