The stakes on the mat are high, but for these cheerleaders, the only thing more brutal than their workouts and more exceptional than their performances are the stories of adversity and triumph behind the athletes themselves.

• Monica Aldama
• Gabi Butler
• Morgan Simianer
• La'Darius Marshall
• Maddy Brum
• Gillian Rupert
• Payton Sykes
• Jada Wooten