Most weekends, junior Samantha Ludlam can be found in a convention center, soaring through stunts as a cheerleader on The Stingray Allstar’s orange team. She has been balancing the intense demands of both competitive cheer and school since middle school. Ludlam now competes at the highest level on an all-girls Senior Level 6 Worlds team based in Marietta, and so far this competition season, her team has won every competition it has attended.
“Performing at the level expected by Stingrays Orange requires elite skills, technique and a high intensity,” Ludlam said. “You have to have a team player mindset. Cheer at this level requires me to be a hard-working athlete.”
Not only is Ludlam a member of a successful competition team, but she is also a member of a viral one. Officialorangerays has 67.4k followers on Instagram. As a girl wearing the Orange Rays uniform, Ludlam and her teammates are known across cheer teams with younger athletes at competitions recognizing her team.
“Being a part of this team is surreal and such a unique experience,” Ludlam said. “Little girls look up to my team so much. They come up to us to ask for pictures, sign things and just say good luck. People travel several hours just to watch us compete.”
Since it is one of the most recognized overall programs in all-star cheerleading, with multiple teams that consistently compete — and win — at national competitions across the country. For Ludlam, competing at such a high level means a lot of travel and time away from school.
“I miss several Fridays and Mondays throughout the year for cheer competitions, which can lead to me being behind on work,” Ludlam said. “I make sure I communicate with my teachers to see if I can do work early or figure out other ways or times to complete assignments. It can also be hard to manage school in general when having to drive to the gym, which is almost an hour away for long practices, privates and team events.”
Ludlam said the overlap between school and cheer can sometimes be difficult to manage, but for her, being part of a team is the best part — and it’s what makes the sport worth it.
“Cheer can sometimes make me feel overwhelmed when I have several tests or important assignments I will miss; so, it’s important to use all my time wisely,” Ludlam said. “You don’t need to be the athlete with the most skills as long as you bring a great attitude and can contribute to the team in a way that will help make the team the best it can be.”
Chloe Cleveland, Ludlam’s coach and a former member of Stingray’s cobalt team, said Ludlam’s mindset is what makes her such a crucial part of the Orange team.
“One of Sam’s greatest strengths is her ability to work with anyone on the team,” Cleveland said. “She does a great job being flexible and adapting to whatever is asked of her.
Cleveland expanded, adding that adaptability is especially important at the highest level of all-star cheerleading, where Ludlam and her team compete, because technical ability alone isn’t what sets athletes apart.
“The most important attribute to have at this level is the skill and experience in the sport,” Cleveland said. “Apart from that, a coachable attitude and a spirit that wants to learn is what sets you apart, and Sam has that. At this level, everyone is an elite athlete, so the aerator is truly the attitude you bring each season.”
Ludlam said,to many people, competitive cheer can look like nothing more than a beauty contest and a two-minute routine. But what they don’t see, she added, is everything that leads up to it — and how having a strong mindset shapes the way she approaches both practices and competitions.
“People don’t see the hard practices where you feel like you can’t push any harder,” Ludlam said. “They don’t see the practices where you aren’t having the best stunting or tumbling day and nothing is working. And they, especially, don’t see how much work it really takes to get to the level you want to be at and to stay there.”
Ludlam’s mother, Katie Ludlam, said Ludlam’s work ethic has developed over the years, in part, because of her commitment to cheer.
“I’ve seen Sam put in countless hours both inside and outside of the gym to perfect her skills,” Katie Ludlam said. “She doesn’t just rely on practice; she will stay late after, come in early to work with her stunt group, and even take private lessons. It doesn’t matter which she is doing; she always gives 100 percent.”
Even with preparation, Cleveland said consistency is what makes athletes reliable in competition.
“There is a lot to be said for the people that do what is asked of them every time,” Cleveland said. “Sam is someone who is consistently eager to learn and prepared to try anything.”
Because of the consistency of cheer and the trust created between teammates, Ludlam said cheer has brought her some of her closest relationships.
“I have made my strongest friendships from cheer because they see you in a way that other friends, outside of cheer, don’t.” Ludlam said.
Even with cheering’s intensity, it remains a crucial place of escape for Ludlam in the constant craziness of school and life.
“Cheer has been a place where I can think about cheer and nothing else,” Ludlam said. “I don’t have to worry about school or outside problems.”
Ludlam’s mom said cheer has helped Ludlam overall and given her many life skills.
“Cheer has shaped Sam [Ludlam] into a highly disciplined and determined person,” Katie Ludlam said. “It’s taught her time management, accountability and how to handle high pressure situations. She carries herself with confidence in everything she does, and I think cheer played a big part in that.”
For Ludlam, the expectations of cheer are matched by the fun and all the work that makes the sport worth it.
“Every two-minute performance is about trying to hit zero, and every minute that goes into it is so worth it when you’re with your friends and performing what you love,” Ludlam said.
