Turner brings loads of cheerleading experience to AU coaching post

Harleigh Turner (sitting on the court) is now in her third year coaching Augusta University’s cheerleading squad. (photo by AU Athletics)

By Taylor Ferguson |
Staff writer

When Harleigh Turner graduated from high school in Rome, Ga., she thought she was on the verge of reaching one of her childhood dreams—becoming a cheerleader for the University of Georgia. However, Turner, Augusta University’s cheerleading coach, was not able to live out her dream as she originally anticipated.

Instead, Turner is now carrying out her passion for cheerleading in a way she never envisioned. Her love for cheerleading and being in the “right place, right time” helped her land the AU post.

Turner has an extensive history, two decades’ worth, of being a competitive cheerleader and dancer. She attended Coosa Middle School and Coosa High School while also cheering at All Stars Gym in Rome. After high school, she originally planned to try out for the University of Georgia’s cheerleading team for the positions of main base and side base. Unfortunately, Turner sustained a knee injury the Friday before tryouts, preventing her from trying out.

“I’m going to lie and say that I’m over it, but I’m kidding,” said Turner, now in her third year as AU’s coach. “It definitely helped me grow as a person, but it’s not how any high school athlete that thinks they’re pretty good expects their career to end but that’s OK.”

Turner’s husband, Matt Smith, who is also employed with Augusta University, received word about the team needing an assistant coach three years ago. After Smith, works in AU’s Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement office, heard about the opening, he suggested the open position to his wife. Turner soon began working as an assistant coach. As time progressed, she was able to move up to the head coach after long-time coach Leza Witherington stepped down.

“It takes a lot of time and effort on us coaches and those also on the team,” Turner said. “It was a great effort on both them and us, as the coaching staff last year.”

Turner saw her team win the Spirit Peach Belt Conference in April for the Cheer and Dance division. She said that has been the AU team’s greatest accomplishment during her time as a head coach. Also, winning the conference title in Augusta University’s home gym of Christenberry Fieldhouse is what made the win feel even more surreal to the team.

For this season, Turner has several plans for Augusta University’s cheer team; however, her main goal has been to use the fall semester to rebuild the squad. She explained that she lost a lot of seniors due to graduation, but she also gained a lot of new cheerleaders who are excited to show their school spirit.

If the cheerleaders are allowed to have a season due to the pandemic, the team will continue to take and ensure precautions when it comes to practices and performances. Turner explains that the team will not be able to perform stunts because that will destroy the practice of social distancing. Because the team already had virtual tryouts in the spring of last year, they plan to continue with the flow of keeping things virtual. They post their routines via Internet and send them to their teammates. In this way, the team is still able to practice so if they do have a cheerleading season, they will be prepared. Turner explains that they are playing this season by ear.

Martasia Johnson, a middle school education junior at Augusta University, has been a part of the cheerleading team for a year. She speaks highly of Turner.

“She is an amazing person inside and out,” Johnson said. “You can always talk to her about anything.”

Johnson went on to explain how consistently trying to strive to do better academically comes first for Coach Turner.

“She consistently reminded us of our GPAs being 2.5, but she always wanted it at a 3.0,” Johnson said.

Inspired by her mother to become a cheerleader, Johnson has been cheering since she was in elementary school. She said that game days are her favorite because she enjoys getting the crowd riled up.

As for the impact of COVID-19 and currently not being able to practice, she states that she still goes to the gym regularly to stay in shape just in case AU will allow the team to cheer this season. The basketball season has been approved by the NCAA and Peach Belt Conference, but the schedule is still in the process of being finalized—and it is not been decided yet who will be able to attend the games other than the players, coaches and trainers.

Contact Taylor Ferguson at taferguson@augusta.edu.