2026-2027 WT Spirit Squads Ready for Home Football Opener Aug. 27

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - Spirits are high at West Texas A&M University.

The WT Spirit Program's Gameday Squad and Pom Squad are gearing up to perform at all five of WT Football's home games, including the home-season opener against the Western Colorado University Mountaineers at 7 p.m. Aug. 27. Tickets are available now.

"I am incredibly excited for this season and the direction of the Spirit Program," said Annalisa Mayhew, Spirit Teams head coach. "The talent level across the board has grown significantly, and I am especially excited about how connected the teams already feel. Building a strong culture throughout the entire program is a major priority, and I believe we have a great foundation to do that this year."

WT Spirit was launched in 2021 under the umbrella of the Office for Student Engagement and Leadership.

Currently, WT Spirit, which also includes the Bucky mascot team, performs at volleyball, football and basketball games and makes special appearances at New Student Orientation, Buff Branding, Start Strong Week and Family Weekend, among other events.

WT Spirit finished fifth in its division in April at the National Cheerleaders Association college nationals in its first-ever appearance.

"My goal as a coach is to provide as many opportunities to these students as I possibly can and show them that being part of this program is about more than just cheer, dance, or competition," Mayhew said. "This program helps our students graduate and succeed by teaching translatable skills like accountability, communication, teamwork, time management, resilience and professionalism. I am eager to see how this group grows both as athletes, and individuals, throughout the season."

WT Spirit members must be fulltime students with a 2.5 grade point average.

Gameday Squad members for 2026-2027 include Krish Astudillo, a freshman history major from Dumas; Kayla Dailey, a junior athletic training major from Lexington, South Carolina; Maddie Dixon, a freshman nursing major from Ballinger; Savannah Evans, a senior nursing major from Canyon; Teagan Farmer, a freshman political science major from Guymon, Oklahoma; Tiy Fleet, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Clinton, Maryland; Meagan Guerrero, a freshman nursing major from Hereford; Sirrah Harris, a senior nursing major from Lubbock; Brandon Loyola, a junior education major from Colorado City; Lexi Morgan, a freshman business major from Amarillo; Bella Myatt, a freshman sports and exercise science major from Round Rock; D'Andre Ordonez, a senior business major from Amarillo; Chasidy Pineda, a junior psychology major from Hale Center; Ribbin Saisasong, a senior marketing major from Amarillo; and Eboni Trevino, a freshman social work major from Hereford.

Pom Squad members for 2026-2027 include Kyrsten Fielder, a freshman biology major from Amarillo; Ashley Hansen, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from New River, Arizona; Davel Hernandez, a sophomore dance major from Amarillo; Monique Lara, a sophomore dance major from Lockney; Arianna Martinez, a freshman dance major from Amarillo; Ari Montes, a sophomore dance major from Tulia; Fantasia Morgan, a senior dance major from Roswell, New Mexico; Addy Ratzlaff, a sophomore dance major from Amarillo; Abi Santos, a junior nursing major from Amarillo; Tori Thomas, a sophomore criminal justice major from Amarillo; and Ky'Lee Tobar, a freshman social work major from Amarillo.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 65 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 41 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and three doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: Members of WT Spirit cheer for the crowd at Homecoming 2025.

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