Q&A with Sand Springs’ Jayla Ruhland

Sand Springs’ Jayla Ruhland

VYPE: Jayla, what spot are you for the cheer team and what grade are you in?

Jayla Ruhland: I am a side base and I’m a sophomore. 

VYPE: What is the toughest part of your job on the squad?

JR: The toughest part of being a base is the strength you must have physically and mentally on days where you’re sore or tired. 

VYPE: What do you love most about your team and teammates?

JR: What I love most about our team is the team camaraderie, we are like family on our team, and we always have each other’s back.

VYPE: Who inspires you?

JR: The person that inspires me the most is my mom; my mom is the hardest worker I know, and I think that’s where I get my work ethic. 

VYPE: What makes representing CPHS exciting for you?

JR: I’m excited to be representing Charles page high school for Stunt and cheer to show that we are athletes that should be taken seriously.

VYPE: Is there a current or former teammate who left an impression on you?

JR: Laylah Bland is a former teammate who graduated last year and is now playing stunt for McNeese. She inspires me every day with how she always strives to be better at what she does and never gives up when things get hard. 

VYPE: What are your plans after you graduate?

JR: I plan to graduate with a business degree and get my real estate license after high school and hopefully own my own brokerage one day 

VYPE: What has athletics taught you that you can use in your life?

JR: Athletics has taught me to always be persistent and to work hard for the things I want. More than just teaching me the value of hard work, it has also helped me develop as a leader. I’ve learned that being a leader means showing dedication through my own actions, creating an atmosphere where teammates feel capable of contributing, understanding their roles, and working together to achieve our common goals.

VYPE: What are your strengths and what are you working to improve?

JR: The strength of STUNT as a sport lies in its ability to showcase the athleticism, skill, and teamwork inherent in cheerleading, but in a more structured and competitive format. I’m working towards getting more tumbling for this next season!