Coaches Recommended Athletes Winners
Congratulations to All Our Winners! #BANDhasyourBack
This season, we went on the look for exceptional young athletes who empower and inspire everyone around them.
We asked coaches to tell us about an athlete that has inspired them and the rest of their team to work harder and push forward in the face of great challenges.
We were amazed by incredible stories coaches from all over the country. The amount of love was clear in each entry. With over 250 submissions, it has been very difficult to narrow down the list of deserving and qualified athletes.
Thank you to everyone who submitted, and a big congratulations to our winners.
Today, We’re Happy to Share Our ‘Coaches Recommended Athletes!’
Ava Shedd is a talented young cheerleader who overcomes great obstacles with her passion to cheer. Ava has a serious medical condition that slowed her growth, so even though she’s twelve, she looks more like eight! Her dedication and willingness to persevere are an inspiration to all of her teammates.
Read more about Ava’s story by clicking below:
When Ashley Maiyer was little, no one expected her to play sports. Born with hip dysplasia, Ashley’s joints made it difficult to move. But Ashley was born into a family that didn’t want her to quit. She and her siblings all loved to play sports, and Ashley is a champion on the basketball court.
Read more about Ashley’s story by clicking below:
Eight-year-old Brooklyn Patterson is an accomplished young cheerleader. During one of her competitions, she battled against an incredible competitor who threw very difficult skills.
Brooklyn was so impressed, she sent her the winning ring! That’s a true sportsmanship.
See more about Brooklyn’s story by clicking below:
Chance Becker is a world-class roller-figure skater (yes, that’s figure skating on roller skates!). At first, he was shy and reclusive, but skating helped get him out of his shell.
Like any great team, Chance and his teammates compliment each other’s strengths. Outside the rink, Chance tutors his friends with his incredible skills with math.
Read more about Chance’s story by clicking below:
Savanna Anchell is a vibrant young cheerleader who conquered one of life’s most ferocious adversaries. Four years ago Savanna was diagnosed with cancer.
During her hospital stay, she continued to practice cheer, even though her doctors said her chances were slim. Incredibly, Savanna defied the odds and continues to work towards her passion!
Read more about Savanna’s story by clicking below:
Cheerleading requires huge amounts of bravery. But that’s no problem for Megan Perkins. In addition to being nationally recognized for her abilities in cheer, Megan is training to be a firefighter/paramedic.
Read more about Megan’s story by clicking below:
Caylee Sanchez is the youngest dancer on her Senior dance team. Her attitude inspires the other kids — and she shines when she gets up on stage.
Caylee’s mom Tammy is inspiring, too! A single mother of three, somehow she still finds time to help out the other kids on the team with costumes and handmade accessories. Both Caylee and Sanchez work hard for the team, “no excuses!”
Read more about Tammy and Caylee by clicking below:
Katelyn Swope, affectionately known by her last name, is a captain on her Colorguard team. She wasn’t always great at spinning, but she was inspired by the rest of the team and grew to become a leader. Now she gives back by organizing team-bonding activities to connect with everyone.
Read more about Katelyn by clicking below:
Bailey Collins is a drum major with the Somerset Berkley Regional High School “Blue Raider” Marching Band. In addition to being the student leader of the marching band, she also participates in every other music group her school has to offer!
Read more about Bailey by clicking the link below:
Paris Simpson is a 17-year-old dancer at Dance Dream Studios. She has been dancing at the studio since she was five years old. Even when she was having a hard day, her love of dancing helped her push through and motivate herself. Through hard work, Paris has grown up to be a strong and versatile dancer.
Read more about Paris by clicking the link below:
Siah is a talented four-year-old dancer in Burbank, California. Siah started at her studio when she was only two years old. Her very first day at the studio, Siah entered into the adult class and started mimicking their choreography.
Read more about Siah by clicking the link below:
Yisrael Robinson is a 14-year-old African American male dancer who studies ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip hop at Danswest Dance in Tucson, AZ. He also performs in a youth community outreach theater, and was recently invited to perform on TV!
Learn more about Yisrael by clicking the link below:
Tatyanna Carter is an 8-year-old elite dancer at Shawn’s Dance Studio. She is one of the youngest competitive dancers on the team and holds a national title.
Learn more about Tatyanna by clicking the link below:
Ashland Anderson is a talented 14-year-old dancer, actress, and captain at ACA Dance Company. Before she was a dancer, Ashland spent nine years in cheerleading. She wanted to challenge herself to learn new and more complex movements than she was learning in cheerleading.
Learn more about Ashland by clicking the link below:
Julian Orozco is a 17-year-old senior drum major of the Franklin High School Marching Yellowjackets, Yellowjackets Drumline, and Winterguard. In his second year, Julian tried out as a drum major and secured his position despite having only one year of experience with music.
Learn more about Julian by clicking the link below:
Athena Diaz is a talented 16-year-old martial artist with two black belts in Taekwondo. She decided to leave her old studio so she could compete in more tournaments.
Learn more about Athena by clicking the link below:
Isadora Matos is a talented 19-year-old tennis player, playing #2 singles and #1 doubles for Fairmont State University. When she first came to Fairmont, she wasn’t the best player and didn’t even speak the language, but Fairmont gave her a chance, and Isadora was able to shine!
Learn more about Isadora by clicking the link below:
Jasmyne is a junior in high school and captain of her school dance squad. Her coaches describe her as a hard worker who takes initiative, “She’s the first one in and the last one out.”
Learn more about Jasmyne by clicking the link below:
Scott Lopez is a two-time All-American male cheerleader at York high school. His enthusiasm, positivity, and love for cheer motivate his team on the toughest days.
Learn more about Scott by clicking the link below:
Matt Cofer is a talented freshman basketball player in his first season at Toccoa Falls College. He spends his free time mentoring and working with kid athletes. He uses his love of basketball as a platform for encouraging kids to pursue their dreams.
Stay tuned for Matt’s full story, coming soon!
Thank you to everyone who submitted their athletes. Our submissions are now closed. Stay tuned to our app and social media for more contests coming very soon!
