Weaver returns to CHS cheer — this time as coach

The Cleveland High School cheer team has a new head coach, and it's one of their former cheerleaders, Maddison Weaver.

“It means so much to me to be back at Cleveland. Being an alumni and past cheerleader, I couldn’t be more excited to give back to the school and program that shaped me,” Weaver said. “Another big push schoolwide this year is to bring back that ‘electric’ school spirit that Cleveland is known for.”

Coaches joining Weaver’s staff include Ciara Griffith (varsity assistant), Andriana Galvan (varsity assistant), Jessica Andreoni (JV coach), Emily Obrey (JV coach), and Kiya Bean (C-team coach). Fun fact: All of Weaver’s coaching staff are Cleveland cheer alumni.

Weaver, who graduated from Cleveland in 2014, is entering her ninth year of coaching. She has coached at Volcano Vista and spent the last seven years at Cibola.

Weaver was also one of the cheerleaders who helped Cleveland win its first cheer state championship in 2013. Cleveland has also won state for cheer in 2021.

“My big goals for this season are to support my athletes in feeling comfortable and confident when cheering at games, competitions and events. I want them to feel prepared and successful in everything they do,” Weaver said. “I hope to attend more games to support all of our programs at Cleveland, as well as host more events like kids camps to get our community involved in our school and cheer program.”

Weaver credits high school coach Alex Kramer with being her biggest role model in the cheer world.

“She set high standards for her athletes, taught us life skills that we still carry today, and believed in each of us immensely. She is the woman who inspired me to coach and is who I model my coaching style after. She is the first person I called when I got this job,” Weaver said.