BYU Cheerleader Heads Home for TCU Game

Hardship Led Him to Cheer Team Tryouts

When BYU comes to town this Saturday to play TCU, one of its biggest fans is a locak will be on the sidelines.

Greg Simonsen, whose family is in the Keller 3^rd church congregation, is starting his second year on the BYU Cheer and Stunt team and is super excited that he will be able to come home to Texas for the TCU game.

A competitive swimmer in high school, Greg Simonsen was initially recruited to BYU’s swim team. After some health issues during his mission and a surgery after, he returned to BYU’s swim team, but was cut after his first season. This unexpected turn of events led him to try out for BYU’s cheer team through some encouragement from friends.

With his upper body strength from swimming and discipline in athletics, Greg Simonsen was able to land a spot on the BYU cheer team and is now in his second year for BYU’s cheer and stunt team.

His mom Corrinne Simonsen said, “It seemed like he’d been cheering his whole life. His outgoing and friendly personality made him a perfect fit in the cheer world.”

“I used to love individual sports like swim, but cheer allows me to be part of a team effort where you have to rely on one another to succeed and prevent an injury,” Greg Simonsen said. “It’s been fun to be on the field and get to know different athletes rather than just my own sport.”

“There’s a special bond among the cheerleaders as we rely on each other for safety and support,” Greg Simonsen said. “There’s a spiritual aspect as the church is embedded in everything we do, praying before games and praying for one another.”

“We get to share Christlike examples as we travel to different games and cheer. Jesus and athletics to together, “Greg Simonsen said.

“Everyone has their own similar heartaches, but getting cut from swim was the hardest in my life. Yet, I realized my plan isn’t always God’s plan. Sometimes hard things happen because better things are to come. God has been trying to show me if I trust and keep the commandments, things will work out.

“Hardships do pass and lead to better miracles and blessings,” Greg Simonsen said.

Corrinne Simonsen said “I think Greg has learned that if you set your mind on something and work hard, you can accomplish anything. I love how happy Greg is on the field! He gets to exercise and entertain people.”

Greg is majoring in Mechanical Engineering at BYU with a dream to be in the automotive industry building and designing trucks.