Rise and Shout: The Four Senior Cheerleaders Who Define BYU Spirit — Walker, Lund, Richey, and Larsen Celebrate Their Legacy
By: Maddie Covington | BYU Insider | June 23, 2025
In the heart of LaVell Edwards Stadium, where 63,000 voices roar on crisp autumn Saturdays, four figures have stood at the forefront of every kickoff, touchdown, and comeback—Emma Walker, Mason Lund, Katie Richey, and Jackson Larsen, the senior leaders of BYU Cheer, have become more than just performers on the sidelines. They are icons of Cougar spirit, ambassadors of the university, and the heartbeat of Brigham Young University’s enduring traditions.
Now, as they prepare to hang up their uniforms after four unforgettable years, the quartet reflects on the legacy they’ve built—one rooted in leadership, grit, and an unshakable love for their school.
> “This isn’t just cheerleading,” said Emma Walker, a captain from Draper, Utah, majoring in Public Relations. “It’s about elevating the experience for everyone—from the players on the field to the little kids in the stands. We’re part of the energy that makes Provo electric on game days.”
Walker, known for her gravity-defying stunts and calm composure under pressure, was instrumental in choreographing halftime routines that went viral across social media, even drawing praise from former Cougar legends like Steve Young and Taysom Hill. She also led BYU’s cheer team to its highest finish ever at the 2025 NCA Nationals, placing 3rd overall in the Division I Coed category.
Mason Lund, the team’s powerhouse base from Mesa, Arizona, is celebrated for his strength, quiet leadership, and spiritual depth. A returned missionary and engineering major, Lund has been an anchor in more ways than one.
> “He’s the guy everyone leans on—literally and figuratively,” said head coach Rachel Sato. “He brings calm to chaos and is the first to lift others, on or off the mat.”
Katie Richey, the charismatic tumbler from Dallas, Texas, is a marketing major and two-time All-American who has redefined what it means to be a student-athlete at BYU. She holds the record for most successful standing fulls in a season and led service initiatives with the team, including the annual “Cougars Give Back” week that helped raise over $100,000 for local charities.
> “I came here to cheer, but I found purpose in being part of something much bigger,” said Richey. “We represent values—faith, service, and unity.”
Then there’s Jackson Larsen—the high-flying flyer from Idaho Falls and team motivator. Known for his contagious energy and sideline hype, Larsen is the bridge between team and crowd. Whether flipping through the air or leading the “Rise and Shout” chant, his presence has become synonymous with BYU home games.
> “Jackson is BYU Spirit,” Coach Sato added with a laugh. “You hear the cheer before you see the guy—and when you see him, he’s upside down.”
Together, Walker, Lund, Richey, and Larsen have transformed BYU Cheer into a national-caliber program while embodying the mission of the university. Their legacy isn’t just in trophies or perfect stunts—it’s in every Cougar fan they inspired to stand taller, cheer louder, and believe deeper.
As they prepare to graduate, the four seniors will be honored during the 2025 homecoming game—a fitting farewell under the stadium lights where they made their mark.
> “We’re not just leaving a team,” said Lund. “We’re leaving a family—and that spirit will never leave us.”
Rise and shout—because Cougar Nation will never forget the seniors who gave their all to raise it higher.
