INDIANAPOLIS — For five seasons, Colts Cheerleader Vanessa Wahl has been cheering on the sidelines of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Now, Wahl, her pom poms and some cheerleaders of her own are in Las Vegas ahead of her performance during the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
Each year, one Colts cheerleader is selected to represent the organization for the game. This year, seven Colts players are playing in the game, which is the highest number from any team this season.
While in Vegas, Wahl will go to community events and visit fans ahead of the game.
This past season was Wahl's final season with the team- one she almost didn't audition for following the death of her dad, Jason Mueller, in July 2021. Wahl described him as the "ultimate cheer dad" who was often at Colts games and Wahl's appearances with other Colts cheerleaders.
"I wasn't really in the mood to be the cheeriest person. My coaches sat me down and my boyfriend sat me down and my family sat me down and everyone was like 'you're not done, you have one more year in you, we can just feel it,'" Wahl said. "I came into this year just really relying on my teammates to get through it. It was a pretty difficult start to my season."
Wahl says her teammates helped her through and in December she got surprised by her mom and her team with a special message- she had been selected to be a Pro Bowl Cheerleader.
"My dad was a huge Colts fan and was one of the reason why I wanted to audition for the Colts was because he loved it so much," Wahl said. "It meant a lot to have my mom be able to be there in that moment and share that with me ... but then to also tie my father into it."
Wahl's mom, grandma and former teammate Rachel will be in the stands on Sunday - watching the game and cheering on Wahl.
Aside from the game, Wahl tells WRTV she's looking forward to meeting the other cheerleaders and about their programs.
"A lot of people say you're surrounded by the best of the best from each team and I'm excited to see what their character is like and their technical skill that they bring, their leadership qualities ... I'm really excited to grow and take away from them individually and build relationships with them," she said.
The Pro Bowl airs on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. EST on WRTV and ESPN.
-
Missing Clark, Fever soar past Lynx 74-59 to win WNBA Commissioner's Cup
The Fever overcame an early 13-point deficit with balanced scoring and a stout defensive performance against the team with the best record in the league.
Fire at Tru Hotel by Hilton under investigation
No injuries have been reported from a fire that broke out on the roof of the Tru Hotel by Hilton on Tuesday afternoon.
Ladies Under Construction launches new community initiative
Ladies Under Construction recently launched a program called Generations to Generations Connect. It involves visits from young ladies to residents at Arlington Place Health Campus on the east side.
IU Indy makes a name for itself follo IUPUI split
Since IUPUI went defunct a year ago, Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis have developed their own distinct identities.
