March Sadness: How a USU cheerleader went viral

Utah State cheerleader Ashlyn Whimpey is now a viral sensation after a clip of her crying during USU’s March Madness game on March 16 sent waves through the internet.

“I just said, ‘The TV people hate me,’” Whimpey said, joking.

This was Whimpey’s second time being recognized by the camera. During the USU-Boise State basketball game on March 4, Whimpey ended up being the thumbnail for a YouTube video covering the game.

“I was pretty embarrassed by that YouTube cover already,” Whimpey said. “Then for me to get another TV moment — I’m like, wow, they hate me. Now they are getting me crying.”

Whimpey first learned of her TV appearance from her family group chat. Minutes after the game, she was getting hundreds of friend requests on Instagram. The next morning, she would wake up with 13 thousand followers.

The cause of Whimpey’s tears was a mix of emotions.

“I was definitely sad that we’re losing, because I’m dating Sean Bairstow,” Whimpey said. “I’ve gotten super close to the team this season.”

It also happened to be Whimpey’s last season with the USU Spirit Squad.

“I’m applying for a nursing program right now. I mean, if I don’t end up doing nursing school at Utah State, it’s not even possible for me to be on the Spirit Squad,” Whimpey said.

However, Whimpey does not count on this being her last time in the cheering world. She shared her hopes of coaching cheer as a mom or even trying out to be a pro cheerleader.

“It kind of just depends on how life goes a little bit. I wouldn’t be opposed to trying out for another team at the pro level or teaching,” Whimpey said.

While the internet can be cruel, Whimpey said she was “pleasantly surprised” by the number of positive comments.

One tweet from @MyWorldofDavidread, “She’s great!!! Let’s u know she’s a team player. Unconditionally team player.”

Another tweet, from @Mika44624948, read, “Awww. She a fan too!!!”

The video has been viewed more than three million times on Twitter and has over a thousand comments. Whimpey has also gained a huge following that grows each day.

When asked if she would ever consider being an influencer, Whimpey was ambivalent.

“I wouldn’t be against doing some influencer stuff because I honestly enjoy that,” Whimpey explained. “But I just don’t feel like it’s enough for me to be like, ‘Nope, not going to do nursing anymore.’ I’m not going to totally change my life and try and be a content creator or an influencer.”

Whimpey said her parents gave her advice on this rare opportunity of gaining thousands of followers.

“My parents talked to me — they told me that this is an opportunity that not many people get, and said it’s something you could capitalize on,” Whimpey said. “They said, ‘It’s kind of up to you, and if you want to do something about it, it’s probably smart to do it like, now’ — while I’m relevant.”