Get to Know Thiel College Cheerleader Priscilla Ehrensberger

Name: Priscilla Ehrensberger

Hometown: Ridgway, Pennsylvania

High School: Ridgway Area High School

Sports Played in High School: Cheerleading, Softball, and Volleyball High School Accolades: Multiple-time letter winner in cheerleading, softball, and volleyball; helped the Johnsonburg Lady Rams to their first District 9 title in program history, and helped the Ridgway Lady Elkers competitive cheerleading team advance to states.

Current Sport: Competitive and Sideline Cheerleading

College: Thiel College

Why She Chose Thiel: “Thiel is a family atmosphere that I felt from the moment I stepped on campus. My aunt is a Thiel alum and told me I should apply. It was a free application, so I decided to fill it out and eventually went on a tour. Everyone in the community is so welcoming and doesn’t hesitate to invite each other to functions. I also realized I wanted an education at a small school just like my high school. Greenville is a small town, but it’s also far enough away from home. Getting to be a part of the cheerleading program has also made it such a great experience.” College Accolades: Ehrensberger has been a part of a National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) national title in the 2022-23 season and second national runner-up squads in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The team has competed in the Spirit Rally division in Daytona Beach, Florida and will soon begin their quest to return for another nationals bid. In addition to competitive cheer, she’s also been a part of sideline cheer for three seasons and looks forward to one more season as a college senior. How She Got Into Cheerleading: “I did one year of Ridgway Rockets cheerleading for the local youth football team, but then took a long break and returned to cheerleading in seventh grade. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and that I’d truly come to love the sport of competitive cheerleading as much as I do. There was a part of me that started back in middle school because of the cute outfits and getting our hair and makeup done. I still love that, but I know cheerleading is much more physically demanding than I realized when I started. My first taste of competitive cheerleading was in high school and we made it to states my freshman year with Julie Lang as head coach. She was a fantastic coach and gave her heart and soul to help our program. I wasn’t very experienced yet, but the atmosphere of the competitions and especially states I loved. I eventually had the opportunity to try-out for the Thiel team and I honestly didn’t think I would make it. I didn’t believe I tried out all that well, but was surprised to earn a spot. Over the last three years, I’ve truly grown so much in stunting and credit Coach Randy Burnett for being a huge supporter and helping me push my limits, while understanding the boundaries I have as well.”

Major and Future Plans: Business administration major with focuses in marketing and advertising and a minor in coaching. Ehrensberger hopes to potentially work in higher education or sports In the future. She currently works in admissions and in the marketing department at Thiel and previously spent a summer interning with the Erie SeaWolves of Minor League Baseball’s Eastern League

Favorite Athletic Memories: Heading to competitive cheer states in high school, winning the first District 9 title in softball in Johnsonburg history as a part of a co-op, and participating in three straight NCA national championships at Thiel and coming away with a national title and three top three finishes nationally overall in the Tomcats category. What Her Hometown of Ridgway Has Provided Her: “I love being from a small town. It’s a place where people work for what they get, and I believe that’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned being from here. Nothing is handed to you. If you want to become a starter, you work for that position. If you’re a substitute in a sport, you embrace that role and fight to become a starter someday. I also earned a solid education in high school and it’s prepared me in several ways for college life both in and out of the classroom at Thiel.” Shedding Light on Cheerleading: “I wish there was more recognition and coverage of cheerleading. This is a commitment that lasts all school-year long for competitive cheerleading and it’s very physically and mentally demanding. The stunting and tumbling is something not everyone is able to do and requires many hours and truly years of improvement to get to that point. We are there not just to look good, but to be competitive and show off our skills and abilities.’ Message to Future College Athletes: No matter what level you participate in a college sport at, it’s truly what you do with the opportunity you were presented with. It’s best to prioritize your education because it goes with you. I would also say to not hold back and push yourself now and you’ll thank yourself later for it.”