BRIDGEPORT – Bridgeport Exempted Village School District’s head cheerleading coach Kaylynn Yates has led her team to some impressive victories and she has earned statewide recognition from her peers. Yates has been named Coach of the Month by the Ohio High School Athletic Cheerleading Coaches Association.
Yates herself first heard the news when she was told to check OHSACCA’s social media.
“A former cheerleader of mine sent it to me.”
Her coworkers at the Middle School/High School front desk caught her reaction with some photographs. Yates enjoyed congratulations throughout the day.
“I was excited. I was surprised.”
OHSCCA’s Facebook page commends Yates, saying: “Her athletes describe her as dedicated, driven, and passionate even leading her team to their first-ever OVAC Championship while balancing a full-time job and motherhood. Thank you, Coach Yates, for inspiring your athletes and showing what true dedication looks like!”
The post garnered several enthused comments on its first day.
This is only Yates’ third school year as head cheerleading coach and she has already earned some unprecedented laurels for Bridgeport Schools with the cheerleading team winning the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Championship for the first time. Yates said her cheerleaders are ready to go for the championship again.
“We’re about to start our competition season next Saturday.”
The cheerleaders have the longest season of any athletic team, and they always have crowds raising the roof during games. Their competition season is November through March and overlaps with the basketball season. Yates is preparing them for the OVAC competition in February and the state competition in January and March.
“I try to always just keep it positive with the girls, to make sure that they know how good they are.”
The goal is to bring home another OVAC win, then go for the state title, and she has every confidence in her team.
Yates instills the value of dedication and hard work in every cheerleader, adding they consistently put 100%. She has an eye for detail and form and can often be heard reminding the cheerleaders: “Point your toes!”
She said there is no substitute for hard work.
“We’ve just been putting more time into it and picking up more competitions to give us practice.”
Yates said Bridgeport High School is going into the season with a strong team of both veteran players and newcomers. There are four seniors on the competition team who want to conclude their high school careers as champions, and some promising new talent who can be counted on to inspire crowds with school spirit.
Bridgeport High School Principal Jack Fisher is among those cheering on the cheerleaders and their coach. “It definitely couldn’t have gone to a more deserving coach. She does an exceptional job leading her team, having high expectations, high standards, making them work very hard to earn what they get. We’re going to have another very successful season,” he said. “We’re incredibly proud of her.”
