At the soccer game Oct. 12, fans may have noticed a unique addition to the cheer squad.

For the first time in two years, the LHS cheer squad had a male cheerleader — senior Audie Monroe.

Monroe first became interested in cheerleading after being approached by some male cheerleaders from the University of Kansas. While baby sitting, Monroe had taken the kids to Lawrence Gymnastics Academy. There, a KU cheerleader invited Monroe to practices twice a week, but he was unable to go. He was still considering the thought of cheerleading when he ended up sitting right behind a few soon-to-be KU cheerleaders at a basketball game.

“I think it was kind of like a message to me,” Monroe said. “It was really cool how we sat by each other. We were just the most pumped up people the whole time, and we ended up starting the wave and doing the roller coaster thing — it was so fun.”

This accidental encounter assured Monroe of his interest in cheerleading.

“It seemed fun, and [in high school], the practices aren’t every day, so I can do [cheerleading] and do other sports,” Monroe said. “It’s just a fun thing to do. And I like cheering people on and pumping up the crowd.”

About three or four weeks into school, Monroe decided to approach cheer coach Shannon Biggerstaff about joining the team.

“I found out there’s some really good [college] scholarships for cheerleaders,” Monroe said. “And I’m not doing wrestling this year either.”

Senior cheerleader Lindsey Fangman gave Monroe Biggerstaff’s number. He planned on calling her to ask about trying out for the squad.

“I got super nervous and I felt like I was asking a girl out on a date,” Monroe said. “I was freaking out all day.”

To assess his skills, Biggerstaff invited Monroe to practice with the team.

“He learned a lot really fast,” senior cheerleader Madison Easum said. “He was a quick learner.”

After practicing with the team for two days, Biggerstaff informed Monroe that he had made the cheer team.

“I kind of expected it because she was pulling out the guy uniforms and the girls were all telling me I was doing really well, but I was still excited,” Monroe said. “I had a smile on my face the whole time.”

The reactions of Monroe’s friends and family varied: some were very positive, some were the opposite.

“Some were more excited or supportive than others,” Monroe said.

As for girls on the cheer squad, the reactions were generally the same, “I think they really like having me there,” Monroe said.

Having a boy on the team isn’t any different for the girls.

“The girls are still themselves around me, so that’s an interesting experience — to see what girls are really like when they are around each other,” Monroe said.

Teammates say Monroe brings a positive outlook to the squad.

“He’s really positive, and he’s really happy all the time,” Easum said. “He never complains or anything. Audie just fits in really well.”