Schofner earns all-American status
Photos provided - Paytyn Schofner shows off her awards after being named an All-American over the weekend at NCA camp with the WCHS football cheerleaders.
Nothing can stop Paytyn Schofner. If she can put on a uniform, there’s a good chance she’s going to find a way to be a star.
Schofner, a rising senior and one of 15 standout athletes on the WCHS football cheer team, was named an NCA All-American over the weekend. She has now been recognized as both a UCA and NCA All-American cheerleader, with the latest honor coming just months after she was back in the hospital battling juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the skin and muscle tissue.
Schofner has dealt with JDM - a disease can attack her muscles, leaving even simple tasks difficult during flare-ups - since she was 8. Earlier this spring, Schofner spent three days in the hospital at Vanderbilt, then continued making regular trips for steroid and IVIG infusions while also taking daily medications and weekly injections.
But on this trip to Vandy over the weekend, it wasn’t about more treatment - it was about competing once again. And Schofner was more than up for the challenge, as was her squad.
Schofner was one of many individual honorees from Warren County, while the cheer teams were also successful as a group. The WCHS football cheer team earned first place in the Top Team Cheer division and finished runner-up in Band Chant. The WCHS basketball cheer team was also runner-up in Chant.
Paytyn Schofner, far right, loves being back with the WCHS cheer team.
Though Schofner ended up being one of Warren County’s stars in Nashville, there was a time she wasn’t even sure she would be able to perform. Her ankles were swollen during tryouts, keeping her from doing aerials, though she was still able to complete a cartwheel.
In true Paytyn Strong fashion, she gutted it out.
“I’m very thankful for all the love and support that everybody has given me. It has fueled me to be where I am and I’m thankful for the prayers. I don’t want these opportunities to be wasted,” said Paytyn.
Schofner was on her way to dual-sport stardom as a sophomore, standing out on the cheer team while also emerging as an all-district performer for the inaugural Lady Pioneer flag football team. Just when she was ready for round two on the gridiron this spring, flare-ups pulled her off the field.
The setback was tough, but Schofner never disappeared. She still showed up to practices, supported her teammates and kept working toward the day she could compete again.
She most recently got the green light right before flag football tryouts in late May - where Schofner didn’t hesitate to get right back into the fray. And once the chance the compete with cheer came up, Schofner jumped right in. She was right back at All-American level, meaning there’s a good chance she is just scratching the surface of what she can accomplish as a senior.
“This is her first accomplishment since getting back to doing things and it has really boosted her hopes,” said her dad, Michael Schofner. “She still has more to do to be her old self, but she’s on track to be there pretty quick.”
Nobody is going to doubt she can make it all the way back.
There’s a better chance they’ll be waiting for Paytyn to be better than ever.
Paytyn is pictured with her parents Brittany and Michael Schofner during camp last week.
