Brianna Gragg coaches freshmen cheerleading at Eaglecrest High School. She found a love for cheerleading in 2010 when she cheered with the same team as a student. The cheer program is full of extremely hardworking, determined, and dedicated young ladies and she’s proud to coach such a talented team. Eaglecrest coaches strive for excellence, and Brianna believes that it is something this program instills in the kids as well. At Eaglecrest, Brianna says it’s about more than just cheerleading, it’s about family, perseverance, resilience, confidence, self-empowerment, and making a positive impact in the community.

Cara Quayle grew up in Texas and moved to Denver right before she started at Cherry Creek High School, then attended Texas A&M University on a full volleyball scholarship. She taught two years at the high school level and three years as a math lecturer at Texas State, and has four years of coaching experience—two as a high school coach and two as an assistant club volleyball coach. In June, she moved back to Denver to teach at Cherry Creek and her concern with both teaching and coaching was quickly alleviated when she remembered how integral volleyball was to her own high school athletic experience. Cara can relate to her players, especially those new to Colorado, and is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this contest!

Christina Leone is in her 16th year of coaching high school poms. Christina is involved with the Positive Coaching Alliance and currently serves on numerous coaching and adjudication committees. Outside of coaching, Christina loves being an active adjudicator and conference speaker and has judged for the USASF Dance Worlds and numerous National Championships. In addition to coaching, Christina maintains a full-time marketing career and is an avid fan of figure skating and all Denver sports. She loves camping and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Rod Sherman feels blessed to have coached multiple sports in both public and private schools, including football, girls basketball, girls soccer, and track and field. He has led his teams to win seven State Championships as an Offensive Coordinator and four State Championships as a Head Coach (3 in football, 1 in girls soccer). He is proud to mention that he also served as an Offensive Coordinator in the 2019 US Army All-American Football Game. Rod has been with Arapahoe High School for two seasons now, after taking over the team that was known for 3-7 seasons. Arapahoe football has made the playoffs the past two seasons that Rod has coached there, finishing this season 7-5.

Tom Thenell is approaching his 36th year in coaching; 28 of those as a head coach. During his head coaching career, Tom has coached in two State Football Championship games, recently won two consecutive Metro 10 League Championships, and been recognized for his 200th win this past fall. Tom is proud to have coached several of the Top 10 passers in state history and makes it a point to stress that high school football is about the kids and what they accomplish, not adults. Tom says he’s thankful, humbled and honored to be recognized as a Schomp Honda Coach of the Year finalist

William Baird is a business teacher at Grandview High School. Teaching is his second career, and he feels very blessed to be in education. He loves Grandview and appreciates the daily opportunity to create a positive impact in the lives of students. In addition to coaching basketball, he coaches JV soccer for the Grandview boys’ and girls’ soccer program and is the Grandview FBLA Chapter Adviser. His life is dedicated to his two children, Brian and Olivia, and he feels his love of coaching is a way to pay it forward. He values every relationship he makes with student-athletes and understands that coaching and mentoring children is a sacred privilege. Will intends to leave a legacy of love and loyalty.