By Sheridan Nguyen
Sports have a way of bringing people together and creating lifelong friendships and relationships for coaches, athletes and fans. For cheerleaders Morgan Urwiller and Hallie Warner, it gave them the unique experience of being brought them back together as teammates after cheering together in high school at Central Christian School in Hutchinson, Kan.
Although both athletes were attracted to the idea of cheering in college, they both chose Sterling for different reasons. Urwiller came to Sterling in 2023 and was drawn to the theology department as she began her pursuit of a degree in Biblical Studies. Warner joined the Warriors in 2025 and was attracted to the small school atmosphere and Christ-centered environment similar to what she experienced at Central Christian.
While both young women came to Sterling with strong faith, they have both experienced tremendous growth in their lives spiritually, academically and athletically. The opportunity to compete in athletics have helped both apply their faith to cheer.
“It’s been really fun to explore the different ways to worship the Lord in sport, and I’ve enjoyed entering practice with the mindset of being a servant leader with my team,” Urwiller said. “It’s definitely a joy to be able to cheer on a Christian team.”
Warner and Urwiller both have a great appreciation for the incorporation of faith in all aspects of education at Sterling College.
“The professors and coaches do a really good job of incorporating faith and Christianity into sports and classes,” Warner said. “A lot of the people you meet are encouraging, they’re kind and they’re your friend.”
Not only has their faith grown from coming to Sterling, but their relationship with one another has grown as well. Being two years apart in school, the friendship they had in high school had fallen away from what it once was after Urwiller graduated, but coming to Sterling gave them the chance to regrow that friendship and create a bond even greater than before.
When they first began going to middle school together, Warner had looked up to Urwiller. Now, they get to work alongside each other to build their friendship and faith. They have gotten to watch one another grow over the years and have no doubt inspired each other to pursue more.
“It’s been super fun to get to watch Hallie grow in her faith as a person and as a cheerleader,” Urwiller said. “It’s been so much fun to watch her just thrive and blossom into this excellent cheerleader.”
From being acquaintances in middle school to becoming college teammates, Urwiller and Warner’s friendship has shown into a great example of how to love God and one another in the spirit of cheer. The duo will complete their first competitive collegiate cheer season this Saturday, March 14 at the KCAC Championships hosted by York University in York, Neb. The Warriors will take the mat in prelims at 10:30 a.m.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
