By Chris Cox
Trinity Academy head coach Kathy Morris has been around cheerleading the majority of her life. Prior to coaching, Morris cheered through high school and was a part of Kansas State’s cheer program in college. But it’s coaching that she loves.
“A big reason that I coach is not just have cute cheerleaders but to have these girls grow as leaders,” says Morris. “Of course, I want them to grow in their skills, but I want them to serve and help and be a role model as well.”
Morris says the four seniors on the team, Katie Bennett, Madi Kraus, Katy Kuhlman, and Hailey Saville, embody that combination of skill and character.
“These four seniors are awesome,” says Morris. “They are sweet young women who work hard and set a good example for others at school.”
Being at a Christian school, Morris and the Trinity cheerleaders know people are watching them a bit closer when they attend camps and competitions.
“We are going to be different,” says Morris. “We are going to look a little different and act a little different. We’re going to hold the door open. The girls understand it and I think they’re ok with it.”
Along with the goals of growing off the mat, Morris says this year’s team also loves to compete and perform. The Trinity cheer squad recently finished third at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Game Day competition. Morris says it’s the team’s hard work that led them to that third-place finish.
“It’s hard and takes a lot of time, effort, and money,” says Morris. “But the girls love competing and that’s why we do it. We have to stay in shape because the stronger we are, the better we perform.”
Morris also says none of the success Trinity has seen would have happened without her assistant coaches Jamie DeGrado and Abby Werhan.
“They not only bring the skills,” says Morris. “But they pour into these girls as well. It’s been awesome having these coaches as a part of the team.”
The Trinity Academy Cheer team includes Katie Bennett (Sr.), Madi Kraus (Sr.), Katy Kuhlman (Sr.), Hailey Saville (Sr.), Annie Morris (Jr.), Anna Mosely (Jr.), Emma Nangle (Jr.), Janie Rickman (Jr.), Gabby Tanner (Jr.), Gracen Truskett (Jr.), Amanda Tuck (Jr.), Ana Farner (So.), Whitney Green (So.), Vivian Kliewer (So.), Lilla Woolard (So.), and Molly Truskett (Fr.).
