The start of this year has introduced a lot of new changes to the school. One of the biggest changes in athletics is the new head cheerleading coach Evann Smith.
“I’ve only been with the program for a little over a year now, like 13 months, but this is my first year as the new head coach,” Smith said.
Just like many other coaches in the athletic department, Smith is a Warren Central alumna, graduating in 2012. This speaks volumes to the passion that she has when it comes to being at Warren Central to coach the cheerleaders.
Smith is a strong believer that relationship building is a must when it comes to coexisting with her athletes.
“I love all my athletes, just like my students, I really do,” Smith said. “I'm only old enough to be you all big brother, big sister. We work well together, we have a lot of fun, and that's obviously the foundation of the program. I want all of my athletes to enjoy being a part of the program. I want them to be there and want to work hard.”
Smith is no stranger to a bumpy road when it comes to coaching and settling in for the first time. She has found those difficulties in this program from the start and is working to improve them.
“For the most part it has been awesome,” Smith said. ”There has been a little, you know difficulty in getting them to understand that you have be to a student first. So I don’t give any slack as far as academics.”
Within five minutes of speaking to Smith, anyone could tell that she is a very strong-minded coach, and she holds her cheerleaders to high standards because she sees the best in them.
“What I do know for sure is that we have incredible athletes at this school,” Smith said. “I have some cheerleaders that are already D1 material. So my expectation is that once I get us in the weight room, and we really focus, we are going to be the best.”