By JALLEN SULLIVAN/Contributor
It’s day three at a cheer camp, and the University of Texas at Tyler team is performing its routine for the last time.
During the performance, the team’s coaches jump up and down in excitement and, after the team nails its routine, end up on the mat with the team members.
Among those in the huddle celebrating the success of the routine is Katherine Hutto, a graduate of and former dance team member at UT Tyler, who has returned to the university as the head coach of the squad.
After graduating with a degree in English literature in 2010, she worked in the oil and gas industry for a short time before pursuing coaching.
Hutto is being credited with turning the program around.
While at cheer camp over the summer, the team and Hutto received a huge shoutout from Leroy McCullough, the National Cheerleading Association brand manager, who oversees all competitions.
“From the minute you stepped through those doors, I could tell that this was a different team than last year,” McCullough said in praising the squad.
Kayla Skinner, team captain, credits Hutto with making improvements.
“The difference in the atmosphere alone between last year and this year is like night and day,” Skinner said.
HUTTO RETURNS
Before returning to UT Tyler, Hutto was a cheer and dance instructor at Tyler Legacy High School, She led that team to a top-20 finish in the Gameday Competition.
Last year, Hutto realized she wanted to be back at UT Tyler, and the timing was perfect.
“I met with Dr. Patterson (Howard Patterson, vice president of athletics) to share some of my ideas for the program, a panel interview was set two weeks later, and in April, I received official word that I had been hired to take over cheer and dance at my alma mater,” Hutto said.
She found that a lot had changed at the university since 2010.
“The rapid expansion is impressive, and I am honored to be a part of the continued growth of this incredible university,” Hutto said.
Hutto has lived in Tyler most of her life. Her grandmother lives a half-mile from campus. Hutto remembers how her uncle taught her to drive in the university’s empty parking lots in the summer.
“I think my love for this school and community helps me inspire my teams to perform and hold themselves to a standard worthy of wearing UT Tyler on their uniforms,” Hutto said.
STUNT BECOMES OFFICIAL SPORT
Hutto is leading the squad as STUNT becomes an official sport.
STUNT focuses on skills and technical elements of cheerleading, including partner stunts, jumps and tumbling, forming pyramids and executing tosses. Two teams compete over four quarters and judges award points based on skill execution.
“Strong STUNT teams move as one unit — every step, jump, and motion happens on time,” Hutto said. “The synchronization of movement and execution of skills should seem effortless.”
STUNT started in 2010 when 30 coaches gathered at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to learn about STUNT and witness the first scrimmage between Methodist University and the University of North Carolina.
Earlier this year, The Lone Star Conference announced that it is adding STUNT as an official sport next year.
“It means a lot to me that STUNT is an official NCAA sport now,” Skinner said. “It is giving more women the opportunity to compete at the college level with the same respect and funding as any other NCAA sport.
Team member Kimberly Anderson is looking forward to the competition.
“I enjoy the competitive aspect of STUNT,” Anderson said. “I am a competitive person so I’m constantly being motivated to be the best on the mat.”
Anderson is glad STUNT is getting more recognition.
“I feel as though cheer and stunt are never taken seriously so for stunt to be an official NCAA sport now makes me ecstatic,” she said. “Stunt is my pride and joy so for it to be seen as a sport now makes me happy for not only my team but for teams all around the world.”
Editor’s Note: Jallen Sullivan is a member of the UT Tyler STUNT team.
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