New Keene State College cheerleading coach Heath Haskell is taking over a program that hasn’t always been in great shape.
“Last year we were supposed to go to Daytona, Florida in March but we never even competed,” senior Trisha Gunning said. “And by the end of the year it kind of fell apart. It was mostly a mess.”
The past few years have certainly tested the team’s resolve.
“People weren’t sure if they wanted to be here or not because the past two years didn’t go very smoothly,” senior Breanna Vacca said.
Vacca and her teammates recalled a season full of miscommunications, disorganized practice schedules and an overall lack of leadership. It was the kind of atmosphere a prospective coach might want to avoid.
But the girls can laugh about it now. They know those days are behind them.
“[Coach Haskell] already has a set practice schedule. We are working with the strength and conditioning coach and we have a tumbling class in Vermont that we have to attend every Thursday,” Vacca said. “So it’s already very organized.”
Throughout the team there seems to be an overwhelming sense that Haskell knows what he’s doing. That makes sense, he’s been coaching a long time.
Zach Winn / Sports Editor: Coach Haskell works with his team at practice in the Spaulding Gymnasium on Monday, September 16. Haskell says he is prepared to rebuild the KSC team.
Growing up in Bellows Falls, V.T. Haskell didn’t cheerlead for much of his childhood. But after cheerleading for a year in high school, Haskell immediately started coaching at the age of 19. Eighteen years later, he has a good feel for his coaching style.
“When it comes to coaching, I have a more hands-on approach,” Haskell said. “I take initiative when demonstrating a skill, showing girls what to do and have them watch and learn that way.”
Haskell described himself as laid-back, but when it comes to cheerleading he has always had a serious approach. Haskell coached at the college level before with Castleton State and also judges cheerleading on the state and national levels—experience that should only help the KSC team.
“[Coach Haskell] has a lot of knowledgeable information, he is a judge too so he knows the rules and regulations very well,” Gunning said.
That knowledge is why the team has wanted Haskell leading them for the better part of three years. In 2010 the cheerleading team was in the midst of another coaching search when they first met Haskell.
After a great interview they thought they had found their new coach, but Haskell’s other job was in V.T. and it was decided that the commute would be too much. This time around there was no such scheduling conflict, and that made the selection process a breeze.
“It was actually pretty easy. I liked the fact that it wasn’t super over the top,” Haskell said of the job interview.
“I met with the kids who were returning first and they recommended their decision to John Ratliff, because of our prior meetings he knew me already.”
Now after a long summer the season begins. Tryouts occured and expectations for the year are high.
“Coach has everything planned out for us, he knows a lot about cheerleading and everything,” Gunning said. “He’s already planning our nationals trip in January, he has everything already set up.”
With nationals looming, Haskell is looking toward an ambitious turnover in choreography.
“Nothing is going to stay from when I wasn’t here,” Haskell said. “I feel like with a new coach you need to overhaul it and bring in your own style.”
No matter how quickly the team picks up it’s new style, it’s clear things are headed in the right direction for the KSC cheerleaders once again.
“I’m honestly just really excited to end my final year at college on a good note,” Gunning said. “And I’m so happy we get to go to nationals and have a good team again.”
Zach Winn can be contacted at zwinn@keene-equinox .com