Richardson and Feagin: Two former teammates reunite at Nationals

Vicksburg, Miss.-Two former teammates helped their college cheerleading teams to the National Titles. Payton Feagin, who cheers for Northwest Community College, and Anna Richardson, who cheers for Pearl River Community College, both helped their teams reach new heights in the 2024-2025 season.

Richardson and Feagin both previously cheered at Warren Central High School and were able to congratulate each other last month at the UCA/UDA College Nationals.

“It was awesome, I cried harder when she won than when I won,” Feagin said. “It made me so happy and proud because as much as I loved winning last year, it sucked that she didn’t.”

Richardson also enjoyed the special moment between the two, crying in happiness about their accomplishments.

“It was amazing that we both got to walk away as National Champions because we’re always cheering for each other,” Richardson said. “I’m glad both of us got to share that moment together and she deserved to win just as much as I did.”

From once sharing a signing day two years ago, to now now sharing a National Title, Anna and Payton both put in the work.

Payton:

Feagin has been at Northwest CC for the last two years where she is a two-time National Champion. Her team came out on top in the traditional for the last two years where she testified that hard work played a key role in her team’s success.

“Last year was a really big deal but it was our first time in that division but since we had a title under our belt this year it was a lot of pressure,” Feagin said. “Hearing them announce your name is unreal but it was very rewarding.”

Midnight practices and a strive to be the best kept Payton and Northwest CC afloat this year as they proved why they are the champions.

Payton is a Criminal Justice major and has recently made the President’s List. 

Anna:

Anna has now left her mark at Pearl River Community College as she has earned her right to be called a National Champion. She helped her team claim the All-Girl Game Day Championship.

“We went through a bunch of two-a-days and it was terrible but it prepared us to win it all,” she said. “It’s a relief to see all of our hard work paying off and we got everything we worked for.”

Two years ago, Anna mentioned that she chose PRCC because it was the best place to pursue a national title. It turns out that she was correct as she is now a national champion.

Anna is a nursing major at PRCC.