After years under Paula Doris, the previous cheerleading coach, Salisbury High School has welcomed Kristen Stokes as their new coach.
The change occurred when Paula made the decision to resign a little after the fall season and left an opening door for the cheer squad to start over as they got ready for the upcoming season with improved team spirit. Kristin then took the job in November.
Several cheerleaders had expressed their displeasure and tried to change things, frequently contacting Director of Students Monica Deeb who continued to stand by Paula even after the team’s objections.
“Yes I like it because it has become more fun because we actually look good there and we get stuff done just as much as we have fun,” Gabby Pena said. “I also like that she has been our coach since we were kids so it’s awesome to have her back our senior year.”
Salisbury cheerleaders are so excited for this news change and improvement. They say that the team feels more like a family.
Coach Kristin, who had coached cheerleading for SYA in the past, shared the excitement of the girls who had cheered with her when she stated that she wanted to take cheerleading on again.
“Yes, I like it a lot better because our new coach has definitely improved the cheer team and it is just a lot better than what it used to be,” Raegan Treskot said in the interview. “The change was needed and it shows when we were on the track cheering.”
When asked about the head coach position opening up, Stokes said that she was both excited, and apprehensive when that position opened up because she would be stepping into a coach position with girls that she coached years ago. She wasn’t sure about the huge commitment, but she still decided to take it and all the girls love that she decided to take it.
In addition, Stokes also said “I hope to restore the love of cheerleading in each and every cheerleader. I also hope to bring more school spirit throughout the district. In addition, Stokes also said Cheerleading is about leading the crowd and lifting the spirits of others,” After interviewing all the cheerleaders they all feel like she is doing a great job.
Ireland Larsen said that “ she 100% likes the switch. I feel as though our coach now is more involved with us and how we feel about things and is willing to include our opinions into routines, stunts, etc. which plays a huge role.”
The team has come together as a family more due to all the positive feedback and activities our new coach is providing.
A parent that has a student that is a junior on varsity also said that her daughter has been so happy to go to cheer and also enjoys to see different material on the track and it’s not always the same stunts,routines and material.
Salisbury cheerleaders will be seen at senior nights for other sports, they have a really big role in the pep rally, also check them out this Friday at the high school.
