Newcastle Public Schools held a Special Board meeting on Tuesday, April 22 to approve the hiring of three new cheer coaches. Angela Hopson has been hired as the high school head competitive coach, and Jason Barker and Kassidy Abel were hired at the middle school.
The new cheer coaches will start this spring and summer.
Hopson has been involved in the All-Star cheer world for more than a decade. Since 2013, she was a coach at Cheers & More in the Norman and Edmond areas. Hopson has coached athletes ranging in ages from two to 19-years-old with varying levels and skills. She is currently working with a team that is competing at The Cheerleading Worlds.
Some of Hopson’s accomplishments include:
• Two NCA Championships
• NCA Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2017
• Award for Best Performance in tumbling, stunt and choreography at NCA and Best Performance six times
• Multiple top five finishes at The Cheerleading Worlds Hopson said, “I am so excited to be a Racer! My focus is on helping athletes grow not just in skill, but also in confidence, teamwork and overall well-being. I enjoy being actively engaged in coaching, choreographing, and helping in developing athletes’ talents across all levels of tumbling, stunting, and leadership both on and off the mat.”
NPS has hired Jason Barker as the new middle school head competitive coach. He brings eight years of experience in coaching All-Star teams for Cheers & More. He coaches teams from all age ranges and skill levels, and has extensive experience in coaching tumbling, choreography and stunt.
Some of Jason’s accomplishments include:
• Taken multiple teams to Nationals as a head coach
• Assisted on high level teams for Worlds
• Extensive experience in being a high level tumbling coach Barker said, “I am ready to get started with these student athletes. I’m ready to be part of this program and help coach and build these students up. And, I’m excited to be a part of something great at Newcastle.”
Kassidy Abel also joins the middle school coaching staff as an assistant coach. She is a Newcastle alum and cheer alum. She was a captain for NHS, cheering all four years of high school.
“We are excited to bring Kassidy back to Newcastle,” said Athletic Director Brent Hodges.
A few of Abel’s accomplishments are:
• She’s a three-time NCA College Champion at Southwestern Christian
• Two time OSSAA State Runner-Up Abel said, “I’m glad to be back in Newcastle where my cheer career started. I can’t wait to get started working with Racer cheer and with our awesome students.”
Superintendent Dr. Cathy Walker said, “I am excited to welcome all three coaches to the Racer family and look forward to watching our cheer program advance to the next level.”
AD Hodges said, “We are thrilled to bring on these three coaches. We have a great cheer and spirit program at NPS, and with hard work, teamwork and passion by everyone, I know these coaches will take us to the next level.”
