Medomak Valley High School’s cheering coach Rachel Coor has been named the 2014 Maine Cheering Coaching Association’s Coach of the Year. She was presented a plaque at the association’s annual winter meeting last week in Lewiston.
Under Coor’s leadership, the Panther cheering squad won four straight regional titles. They were KVAC champions in 2011 and 2013 and runner-ups in 2012 and 2014. Medomak was State B runner-up in 2013 and 2014.
The coaches’ association is comprised of over 60 coaches from almost every school in the state. It is a voluntary membership organization that sets up education seminars and cheering competitions.
“It is a networking group. It is a great group to be a part of. We sort of act as a liaison to the (Maine Principals’ Association),” Coor said. The association provides information to the Maine Principals’ Association on what coaches want, such as changes to scoresheets.
Any coach in the association can nominate a coach for the Coach of the Year award. The nominees are then voted on by the membership.
Coor has belonged to the organization for 10 to 12 years. This is the first time she has received the award.
“It is definitely an honor. There are a lot of really good coaches in the state; to be recognized is special. I can’t take the award without recognizing the administration and the kids. The kids and those around you make it happen. I have had some great role models as coaches,” Coor said.
Coor stepped down as head coach from Medomak Valley this year to go back to college. She will be assisting new head coach Heather Simmons, who assisted her last season.
“I will be around during school break and be around for the bulk of the competition season. I will do the choreography again this year. I am sure they will be as successful with Heather as the leader,” Coor said.
“Rachel is very deserving of this award,” said MVHS Athletic Director Matt Lash. “What she was able to do as cheer coach here in such a short period of time was remarkable. No other coach in school history has won four regional titles in a row (’11,’12,’13,’14).
“The girls worked extremely hard for her. She demanded a lot from everyone in the program and they all bought in. There are few cheer coaches in Maine who choreograph their own routine. Rachel has always done her own routine.
“Being recognized with this award by her peers shows that they appreciate her talent, hard work, and commitment to the program and the cheer coaches association over the years.”
