Tehya Williams said she didn't have any background in dance when she tried out her sophomore year for the Poplar Bluff Pom Squad.
"She just blew me away," said coach Stephanie Halter.
Williams recently signed a National Letter of Intent to join the dance team at Lindenwood University-Belleville where she said she will study sports management and marketing.
"I wasn't going to do dance in college, didn't think I wanted to, (but) they asked me and I came to a clinic and I really liked it," Williams said. "I really like the feel of it, it was really homey.
"I just went with that choice and they were very welcoming."
As a freshman Williams was a runner, helping the Mules win a MSHSAA state championship, running a leg on the 3200-meter relay.
"She is just an outstanding performer," Halter said. "It's her passion and it shows in her dancing. We've been very lucky to have her the past three years. She definitely deserves to continue that dancing career."
Williams gave credit to Halter, saying, "I learned everything from my coach, she taught me everything I know."
Williams will be joining a Lynx squad that recently won the NAIA Regional championship to reach nationals where they finished 12th. The squad will perform again in April at the DTU College Classic in Las Vegas, ending a seven-competition season.
Under coach Stephanie Brant, the Lynx also placed 11th in 2016 at the NAIA National Invitational.