AMES — Jacey Ash and Michaela Leiting shared several big moments together at St. Edmond.

Now, the two former Gaels are doing the same as Cyclones.

Ash and Leiting are cheerleaders for the Iowa State football team this fall and will join the No. 16 Cyclones in Dallas on Saturday when they meet 15th-ranked Arizona State for the Big 12 Conference championship.

Both were on the field together as Jack Trice Stadium was engulfed in fans last Saturday night after Iowa State secured its first 10-win season in program history with a victory over Kansas State.

“I think everyone knew the Cyclones had the game halfway through the fourth quarter and everyone in Jack Trice was ready to rush the field,” Ash said. “It was incredible to see all the fans, players and coaches rallying together out on the field celebrating a big win.”

But to secure a spot in the Big 12 title, Iowa State still needed some help. Several hours later and thousands of miles away, they would get it, as BYU topped Houston to deny Colorado a bid, sending the Cyclones to Texas.

“We had a close eye on the BYU game and were hoping they would pull out the win,” Leiting said. “It was funny going from cheering against them to being their biggest fans from the Midwest.”

The two were part of state cheer teams at St. Edmond and also ran at state cross country together.

“It is so exciting to be part of this team and this program that is making history,” Leiting said. “It’s hard to think of another team like it. Every Saturday night, the energy in the stadium is nothing short of electric. Many of my most favorite memories are from nights in Jack Trice.

“The atmosphere after the game (last) Saturday was unreal. The energy was insane and the fan base was a blast. It seemed like all 61,000 fans made it down onto the field. Cyclone nation definitely showed up that night.”

Ash, who transferred to Iowa State after cheering for two seasons at Kirkwood where she was named the cheerleader of the year as a sophomore, admits she “chose a good year to become a Cyclone.”

“From being in the stands for multiple years to the sidelines this year, I can see how hard the team has worked to make this season possible,” Ash said. “Being a Cyclone cheerleader is an opportunity I never thought I’d be able to pursue. I am more and more grateful each day that I am part of this amazing program. I have made lifelong friends on the Spirit Squad and memories that I will cherish forever.

“I am thankful I can share this experience with Michaela and can’t wait to see what we will accomplish at Iowa State.”

Leiting called sharing the experience with Ash a “full-circle moment,” adding that “the young girls we once were would be in awe of what we are doing today.”

“Continuing to cheer and do something I love has been such a blessing,” Leiting said. “It has truly made my experience at Iowa State. Not only am I continuing to grow as an athlete, but as a person as well. The friendships that I’ve made through this program are ones that I’ll cherish forever.

“Some of my closest friends on the team are from the other side of the country and many are people I would have never met without the program.”

Iowa State-Arizona State kicks off at 11 a.m. and will air live on ABC from AT&T Stadium, home to the NFL Dallas Cowboys.