Meet University Of Kentucky Cheerleading Mother-Daughter Duo

Mothers and daughters will always share a special bond. Most times they possess similar physical traits such as height and hair color, but some mother-daughter pairs are lucky enough to have the same passions.

Wendy Agee and her daughter, Whitney, get to share the experience of being University of Kentucky cheerleaders.

Both Wendy and Whitney began cheerleading as little girls for youth football teams. As young girls, they both wanted to be cheerleaders like their mothers before them.

Whitney’s grandmother cheered for Kentucky Christian College, which is now known as Kentucky Christian University, and following in her footsteps was Wendy, Whitney’s mom, who continued her cheerleading career at the University of Kentucky.

When Whitney was born, Wendy didn’t want to pressure her to become a cheerleader but was happy when her daughter decided to pick up the pompoms.

“Whitney was in the first grade when she came out of school one day and asked if she could cheer,” Wendy said. “I must say, I was so excited that she wanted to do something that I had loved doing myself.”

As Whitney grew so did her passion for cheerleading. She cheered at River Cities All Stars until moving to the college level.

“When Whitney approached me and said that she wanted to cheer in college, and not just at any college but for the University of Kentucky, I won’t lie — I was excited, but I was also nervous,” Wendy said. “Her work ethic, drive, and dedication are like no other, so I knew if she wanted it, she could do it. Her dad and I were so proud of the determination she showed and the willingness to do whatever it took to be one of the best.

Becoming a UK cheerleader was a dream come true for me. Watching Whitney’s dream of becoming a UK cheerleader come true was an even greater reward for me. As a mother, all we ever want is to see our children happy and to see them fulfill all their dreams.

Whitney, a junior at UK, gives a lot of credit to her success to her mom. Having a parent who has been in her shoes helped her a lot during her journey as a UK cheerleader.

“Knowing my mom had already been through the things I went through helped me tremendously, especially the first couple of years — college is hard.” Whitney said. “Being able to talk and ask questions to someone who only wanted best for me really put me at ease.

“My mother has been to every football game, basketball game, competition, and tryout she’s been able to physically come to. She’s my biggest cheerleader. I can’t imagine not having her support.

Every single year I’ve tried out for Kentucky, she has made my tryout outfit, which is really special to me because she puts in every bit of time and effort she can for me.

Wendy and Whitney know how to take the perfect mother daughter picture. The first two photos are during Whitney’s tryouts at UK, the last was at the ICU World Championships where Whitney represented Team USA.

Whitney is now one of the most decorated cheerleaders in history as she recently won her third UCA National Championship, her first NCA Partner Stunt National Championship, and her first gold medal at the ICU Cheerleading World Championships. Wendy may have stepped off the sidelines for good, but she said that cheerleading will always stay a part of her and her daughter’s lives.

“Cheerleading has been a huge part of my life,” Wendy said. “I don’t think that you ever stop cheering. You may no longer be able to do all the skills that you once were able to, but it’s a part of who you are.

As a mother, you will always be someone’s cheerleader. You just take a different role. Cheerleading is now a huge part of Whitney’s life and who she is.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the cheer moms in the world. Thanks for doing what you do and holding our hands every step of the way.

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