Name: Braxtynn Redding
Class: 2028
Sport: Cheer
Hashtag: #youcanalwaysworkharder
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned through Penn Athletics?: It really has been to work as a team and to build your teammates up to get better.
What is a before game tradition of yours? Before games we always blast music while getting ready together and doing each others hair and makeup.
What would you recommend to a freshman trying out for Penn cheer?: Be confident , practicing jumps, and sharp motions are the biggest things you can do.
What is the most difficult stunt you have done during your time at Penn?: The most difficult stunt I’ve learned was a rewind. We tried it during freshman year basketball season, but didn’t get it and immediately stopped. However, this basketball season, we were asked to try it again, and now we’ve hit it in just a couple of tries.
Is there anything you do specifically before a game?: I always meet up with part of my team and we all get ready together, mark stunts, and eat before the game.
Would you want to cheer in college?: I wouldn’t want to cheer in college. I love cheer, but I feel after high school I would want to focus more on my future and what’s ahead.
What got you into doing cheer?: I started in 7th grade after never doing it before and I loved the sport. It gave me something to do that I actually liked and I started looking into harder stunts and kept wanting to get better.
Are you ever afraid or have mental blocks while stunting/tumbling?: Definitely during stunting I get nervous, but my group and I always tell each other that we got it and that we’re gonna hit. I know I can do it, so I try to fill my head up with positive thoughts.
What is your favorite part about Penn Cheer?: I love the community. Since I’ve started, I’ve made so many friends and some of my best friends. Even on the hardest days, I know going to cheer, I’ll be filled with family.
Do you think cheering at Penn has opened up opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise?: I definitely do. Coming out of middle school cheer, I was not the best, but making Penn, I’ve learned so many new skills, techniques, and gotten so much advice that’s helped in so many ways.
