Staff

Coaches Biographies

Ultimate Athletics Competition Cheer

We could list all the awards, titles, championships and accolades our teams and coaches have earned through the years, 100's of them in fact; but that's only one measure of our coaching success.

We prefer to highlight the training, experience, education and most importantly - the commitment our coaches have to delivering the most rewarding Competition Cheer experience your athlete can have.

It is with tremendous pride that we bring to you the most qualified and experienced Competition Cheerleading staff in Southeast Minnesota.

________________________________________________________________________

Sara Lent – Head Coach & Owner / President of Ultimate Athletics, LLC.

With over 28 years of combined experience in dance, performance danceline and competitive cheerleading, Sara’s expertise is only surpassed by her dedication to her craft and desire to share her passion for the sport of competitive cheerleading with younger athletes at all levels. Sara’s established credits include Head Coaching positions with the Junior and Varsity teams for RAS, along with Assistant coaching, dance choreography, tumbling and stunting instruction responsibilities.

As the founding owner of Ultimate Athletics, Sara’s clear vision of excellence and high level of expectation is demonstrated in her 2006 appointment as a UPA Regional Director – a title reserved for those who know and deliver exceptional results. On-going education is Sara’s hallmark and is evident by the list of certifications she currently holds.

NFHS Bronze Level Certified in Partner Stunting
NFHS Bronze Level Certified in Motions, Jumps and Tumbling
AACCA Safety Certified
USASF up to Level 5 Certified in Stunting, Tumbling and Tosses
Member in good standing with USASF
President of Ultimate Athletics Board of Directors

________________________________________________________________________

Kris Hames – Panthers Head Coach & Business Consultant to Ultimate Athletics, LLC.

There is simply not a stronger leader in SE Minnesota for the sport of competitive cheer than Kris Hames. Her consistent delivery of championship teams is well known and respected across the mid-west and is evident by her many leadership roles including; Regional Director for UPA, RAS

and RYCA, Co-founder of RAS, and Board positions with Ultimate Athletics and RAS.

Kris has coached winning teams at the Junior and Varsity level to National Championships four times and has had teams ranked in the top 5 in the nation since 1998. With the appearance of Kris’ teams on ESPN2 for four consecutive years, her reputation for setting a new standard of excellence is legendary.

Continuing education allows Kris to perfect her coaching skills and expand her knowledge.

AACCA Certified
NYSCA Lifetime Certified
USASF, Safety and Level 5 Certified in Stunts, Tumbling and Tosses
5-year Progression Instructor
NHSL Certified
MCCA member in good standing
MCCA Certified Judge
CPR Certified
Over 22 years of combined Competitive Cheer Coaching Experience!
Ultimate Athletics Board of Directors

________________________________________________________________________

Penny McCarty – Cougars Head Coach

Talent, enthusiasm and leadership come together in a Youth Cheer experience like none other under the leadership of Penny. Bringing over 10 years of dance and gymnastics experience to the team, along with her years of competitive cheer coaching with RAS, Penny provides the perfect mix of fun, instruction and care for the youngest of the Ultimate Athletics champions. As the head of parent communication and curriculum development for the team, Penny is the driving force behind the youth team's quest for excellence.

Continuing to add to her bank of knowledge, Penny holds the following certifications and leadership roles.

USAFS Certified to Level 4 in Stunting, Tumbling and Tosses
AACCA Safety Certified
Ultimate Athletics Board of Directors

________________________________________________________________________

Lori Withem – Cougars Assistant Coach

Lori Withem

Lori says she wants to coach because of her love for the sport. She also says that she does not know what she would do if she wasn't involved in the sport of cheerleading. Lori is so excited about the wonderful talent we have coming into the UA family this year! Coaching is so fullfilling knowing that we have taught athletes team work, sportsmanship, respect, and new skills. She is looking forward to a fun and fullfilling year with lots of growth and accomplishment.

2000 - 2006 Coach for RochesterAll-Stars

2000 - 2011 Board Member for RYCA

2006 Coach 5/6 grade RYCA

2005 - 2010 member of MCCA

2006 - 2011 Varsity Coach Kasson Mantorville HS

2005 NFHS Coaches' Education Program - Motions, Jumps, and Tumbling

2005 NFHS Coaches' Education Program - Partner Stunts

2005 NFHS Spirit Program Management

2005 MCCA Judges Training

2008 NFHS Bronze Level Credentials

2004 CPR certified

2004 - 2010 First Aid Certified

2003 - 2014 AACCA National Safety Certification

2011 Ultimate Athletics Board of Directors

________________________________________________________________________

Monica Eggert – Endurance Coach

As a member of the Ultimate team Monica's history begins growing up in Rochester Minnesota.

She is the youngest of 6 and all of them were active in sports. She became interested in coaching when her daughter asked if she could be a cheerleader. She was an Assistant Coach with Cheer America, then moved onto coach the RYFA. Kenzie, her daughter had decided she

wanted something more and asked her mom to look into Ultimate Athletics. So, Monica then began helping Penny with her team and has been hooked ever since. She states she loves the no cut policy, placements is the way sports should be, and believes everyone deserves to be a part of a team where everyone belongs. She now is the Co-Assistant Coach for the Cougars.

Assistant. Coach Cheer America 2001-2003
RYFA Cheer Coach 2004-2005
Ultimate Athletics Assistant Coach and Co-Assistant Coach 2004-2005
AACCA Safety Certified
USASF certified in tumbling and tosses Level 3
CPR and First Aid Cerified

________________________________________________________________________

Nick Taylor - Tumbling Instructor

With over 35 years of gymnastics coaching experience, Nick brings to Ultimate Athletics a wealth of knowledge in the area of tumbling and has been instrumental in elevating the skill level of all our teams. Many of Nick's former students have competed at the State level in high school gymnastics and his reputation for developing strong athletes is well-known. Safety is the driving force behind Nick's teaching style which makes him a much sought-after private coach. We are very fortunate to have Nick as a permanent addition to the Ultimate Athletics coaching staff.

An overview of Nick's coaching experience and certifications includes;

Gymnastics Coach for John Marshall, Mayo and Century High Schools in Rochester, MN
Coach with the Lady Devils in Eau Claire, WI and Rochester, MN
Grips Gymnastics Coach
Certified Gymnastics Judge

________________________________________________________________________

Jolene Schouweiler - Calicos Coach