Flashes Launch New Cheerleading Partnership, Hire Tedrick as Head Coach
6/5/2023 10:01:00 AM | General, Cheerleading
KENT- Kent State has named Sarah Tedrick as the new head coach of the Cheerleading program, highlighting a new era for Kent State cheerleading.
Tedrick brings over 15 years of coaching experience through World Elite, a cheer and gymnastics center in Northeast Ohio. Tedrick has been involved with World Elite since 2006, serving as a team coach for the last 15 years and has spent the last five years as general manager.
Under her direction, World Elite is the two-time defending Summit Champion and earned a number-one ranking in the Midwest for Mini L-1. They also took home three United State Finals Championships, earning a three-peat from 2017-2019.
The hiring of Tedrick comes at the start of a new partnership between the athletic department and student affairs, where the Kent State Cheerleading program is housed. The partnership will increase the university investment in the cheerleading program. All members of the cheer program have access to the department's strength training as well as all health and wellness benefits. Managing their needs within the athletic department will not only prevent injuries associated with a demanding sport and reinforce the department's mission but help promote Kent State University on a national level.
"The cheer team is an integral part of the college game day experience," said Maggie McKendry, Associate Athletic Director and the Sport Advisor for Cheer and Dance. "They are not only the bridge between the fans in the crowd and the student-athletes on the field and court, but also serve as important representatives of the University."
With the hiring of Tedrick, the coaching staff has over 35 years of combined experience and knowledge. The staff will inherit a cheer team that placed in the top-5 at this year's NCA Collegiate Cheerleading Championships held in Daytona Beach Florida every April.
