Maddie Hayes has had a legendary cheerleading career winning multiple titles and cheering at iconic programs like Spirit of Texas, Navarro College and, now, the University of Kentucky. 

The Texas native was the youngest athlete to ever compete and win at NCA College Nationals, and she now hopes to keep her championship streak alive as she takes on the next chapter of her cheerleading journey in the bluegrass state.

FloCheer caught up with Hayes for an exclusive interview on her busy years as an elite athlete and to hear more about her goals for the future.

FloCheer: Where are you from?

Hayes: I am from Mansfield, Texas, which is right outside of Dallas-Fort Worth.

What are you going to school for?

I am studying pediatric dentistry at the University of Kentucky. 

How did you get started in cheerleading?

I started in gymnastics at the age of 4 and stuck with for four years, and then my gym shut down and they recommended to check out Spirit of Texas and consider getting involved with cheerleading, which was the best decision of my life.

What's your favorite part about cheerleading?

My favorite part of cheerleading is definitely collegiate baskets! Most cheerleaders are afraid of baskets and I’m weirdly obsessed with them and learned all of my flipping and twisting baskets in one day, and being able to help others learn them as well is one of my favorite things to do!

What's your signature tumbling pass?

On the hard floor, my favorite pass is a round-off whip full or standing full pause one to full.

How has it been transitioning from Navarro to Kentucky?

Transferring from Navarro to Kentucky wasn’t the easiest thing for me to do, especially because I moved out right after turning 17 years old to move to Navarro which forced me to grow up faster than expected. I’m thankful for that now, because living on my own, 15 hours away from home, would’ve been impossible. 

I loved cheering for an NCA school but I’m ready to mix things up and see how UCA will be!

How did you manage your time cheering on Royalty while cheering at Navarro?

First semester last year I was cheering on three cheer teams as well as coaching three all star cheer teams at Spirit of Texas. During my first semester, I was still in high school where I was on the cheer team there, on Royalty at SOT, as well as driving out to Navarro four times a week to practice with them getting ready for the second semester. 

In between all those practices, I would be at SOT coaching my teams. So busy was an understatement! 

What was it like winning your first College Nationals with Navarro?

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to compete in Daytona with Navarro and win Grand; that was an unforgettable experience. Being the youngest athlete to compete and win at NCA College Nationals ever was pretty dang awesome! 

You've cheered at some pretty legendary programs. How has it been handling the pressure of always having to "be the best"?

Cheering with the “best of the best” kept me motivated to always be better and always having people by my side pushing me to be the best I can physically and mentally be.

With that, you've been able to work with some of the best coaches and athletes in the country. How has that shaped you?

Working with these coaches and athletes just keeps the vibe in the gym so unreal because everyone around you has the same mindset and just wants to grind all day to improve as much as possible.

Who is your biggest motivation?

My biggest motivation has been my favorite coach/life coach/best friend Dahlston Delgado. I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today without him; he knows me and my limits better than I even do, and the respect/mindset/character of him is so genuine, you can’t help but want to impress him.

Kentucky & Navarro are both college cheerleading programs with big traditions—how does it feel to be a part of them?

I love old school and I am huge on traditions, which makes Kentucky and Navarro a perfect fit for me. 

What are you looking forward to most about being a Wildcat?

What I’m looking forward to the most would be getting to represent such an incredible program wearing the U.K. across the chest, getting to meet so many great talented people, and traveling to new places with my best friends!

Any fun facts about yourself?

Fun fact: All the other girls in my family have bright red curly hair!

What are your future goals in the cheerleading world?

My future goals in the cheerleading world would be to add four more nationals rings to my hand, as well as trying out for Team USA my senior year at U.K., and just being someone that others can always look up to inside and outside of cheerleading.