Meet the Coaches
Kristen Myers
Program Director Varsity, Game Day, JV, Performance Coach Kristen has been cheering since 6th grade on both sideline (Football, Basketball) and competition teams (Varsity and all-star). She worked for Universal Cheerleaders Association, UCA teaching cheer camps across the country and also cheered for the University of Minnesota Co-Ed team. Kristen joined the Maple Grove coaching staff in 2012 and assumed the head coach role in 2013. She lives in Otsego with her husband, kids, and enjoys being a Special Education Building Coordinator at Maple Grove Senior High. |
Alex Papademetriou
Varsity, Game Day Coach Alex is an alumna of the Osseo Senior High cheerleading program however, before attending Osseo she spent 2 years cheering for sideline and competition at MGSH. She also was a member of the Planet Spirit All-Stars. Her passion has always been cheerleading and gymnastics, and she was happy to have the opportunity to return to Maple Grove as a coach in 2012. Alex spent 7 years working at The Little Gym teaching gymnastics. Currently Alex does Field Development for Allianz Life. |
Joy Peterson
Varsity, Game Day, JV Coach Joy has been cheering since high school where she cheered for the Elk River Jets for 4 years. She continued on to cheer in college where she was captain of the University of Minnesota Small Coed Cheerleading team for 3 years. She has been coaching cheer for 5 years and is also a project manager for an art and branding firm in St. Louis Park. She loves to hang out with her pets and make art in her spare time! |
Mackenzie Little
Varsity, Game Day, JV Coach Mackenzie is an alumna of the Maple Grove Cheerleading Program. She cheered at Maple Grove for 6 years and then moved on to cheer at the University of Minnesota for one year. Mackenzie is excited to be able to teach a sport that she is so passionate about and that has been such a huge part of her life! She is in her second year at the University of Minnesota majoring in Nutrition with a minor in Health Psychology. |
Kaila Nguyen
High School Teams Coach Kaila has been cheering since her Freshman year through her senior year for Maple Grove Comp Cheerleading. She became a student coach for two years and is now a full time coach for the Junior High Team. Kaila enjoys watching the athlete development at a young age and loves the process of growth throughout the program. Kaila is here to inspire a new generation of younger athletes! |
Emma Zawlocki
Junior High Coach Emma has been cheering since 8th grade in Wentzville, MO. She continued to cheer at the University of Minnesota on the small Co-Ed team. Emma has experience coaching athletes individually to help advance skills on their own timelines. She is excited to work with athletes at all levels and to help build them up into the best they can be. She has her Masters degree in nursing and is currently practicing as a pediatric RN. She enjoys playing with her dog and crafting in her free time. |
Brianna Baer
Elementary Coach Bri is an alumna of the Maple Grove competition and sideline cheer program, she cheered from 8th grade through her senior year of high school. In 2021, she graduated from North Dakota State University with a dual degree in Elementary Education and Human Development. Bri is currently teaching first grade at Fernbrook Elementary. Some things she loves are spending time with family, reading, and hanging out with her cat, Ruby! |
Emily Hanrahan
Elementary Coach Emily has been in the cheer world since 5th grade. While growing up in Wisconsin, she cheered for Menomonee Falls High School and did competition cheer with Heat Athletics. She coached summer camps and competition teams with Stingray Allstars-Wisconsin before moving to Minnesota. She has loved teaching 1st grade for 3 years. Emily enjoys golfing with her boyfriend and spending time with her 2 cats! |
Rachel Fredenburg
Novice Coach Rachel is an alumna of the Roosevelt HS sideline and competition cheer program in Sioux Falls, SD. She continued her cheer career at St. Cloud State University and is currently in her third year on the team. Rachel is majoring in Elementary education with a minor in coaching and human relations. She is excited to bring both her passion for children and cheerleading together through coaching! |
Lily Mast
Youth Coach Lily is an alumna of the Maple Grove Competition Cheer Program, joining her freshman to senior year in high school. Lily was the Novice Head Coach last season and enjoyed watching and supporting the girls as they grow and develop their skills at the beginning of their cheer careers. Lily is currently attending Augsburg University pursuing her degree to become a nurse practitioner. |