Head Coach Shawna Shepherd celebrates 20 years of coaching cheer! Coach Shepherd has always seen herself becoming a cheer coach because she was raised by two former coaches, including one hall of famer Libby Shepherd. She saw the impact her parents had on their athletes and hoped to have the same.

“Seeing an athlete gain a new skill or build their confidence is why we coach. We become a little family throughout the year and the bond of each season is special,” said Coach Shepherd.

Over the years, Coach Shepherd has learned a lot while coaching here at Wheeling Park, and has earned six state titles and 16 OVAC championships as the head coach.

“With each year, comes a new team and with those new kids, you have to adjust as a coach, adjust your coaching style to each team and kid,” said Coach Shawna Shepherd.

As with all sports, cheerleading has changed over the past two decades, and for the most part, the better.

“Each year new skills are added to build the sport of cheer, and we have had the addition of mats which has helped allow us to have less injuries. We now have different scoring which we hope will allow judges to be less subjective when it comes to what has performed. Sports in general have changed while I have been coaching, and kids are offered so many choices of activities to participate,” said Coach Shepherd.

Coach Shawna Shepherd loves coaching at Park and building special bonds with each team and cheerleader. She likes to see the potential in each athlete and push them to their highest level. Her impact shows, as many of her former cheerleaders come back to join her on the other side of the mat.

Kristi Davis was a senior in 2005, Shepherd’s first year as head coach. Now, she is the assistant coach of Wheeling Park Cheer.

“Shep has taught me how to be the best coach I can be…. How to be tough, but also care for the athletes as if they are our children,” Davis said.

Shepherd’s tough love approach, one could argue, is a key factor for success. The decorated coach has a way of building connections that go beyond cheer, making the team a safe space for her athletes.

“She is like my mother. She is my mother. She cares for me, and makes sure that I’m well” Hollynd Bowman, a junior, mentions when asked about Shepherd.

Amber Yanchak, a varsity cheerleader for the last four years, recounts the influence Shepherd has had on her.

“Coach Shepherd has taught me how to be a leader and what dedication and hard work really is. She is a coach that cares so much about us, but also holds us accountable when she knows we can do better. Her commitment to the team and each of us makes her an outstanding coach. I am so grateful to have been coached by her for the last four years and I hope her 20 years is the best one yet!”

With every sport, comes different challenges and hardships.

“The hardest thing about coaching cheer is sometimes not being able to stand back and watch. We practice so hard 6 days a week for one chance to complete our routine, no time outs, and no 2nd half to make a comeback. As coaches we see how hard they work and how sometimes things don’t work out, and all you can do is support them from the side and push them harder,” said Coach Shepherd.

Coach Shepherd is really looking forward to the upcoming competition season, and the cheer team has been working very hard to get their routine together. They are hoping to do well at regionals, and get back to states where they would love a chance to win back their state title!