Teams & Coaches

Our Team Structure

We use a benchmark-based evaluation system designed to place every athlete where they can be:

  • Safe

  • Successful

  • Confident

Our structure creates clear pathways for growth—from first-time athletes to elite competitors.

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Varsity & Comp
The Elite Tier

Our "Gold Standard" primarily for experienced sophomore through senior athletes

A group of cheerleaders in black and yellow uniforms with 'TIGERS' written on them, posing on a football field. Some cheerleaders are holding yellow and black pom-poms.

JV Black
The Bridge Tier

For primarily sophomores through seniors who have mastered stunting fundamentals and are working toward Varsity-level elite skills.

JV Gold
The Developmental Tier

For freshman through seniors. A dedicated space to learn high school cheer, focusing on safety, technique, and Tiger pride. Focus is on mastering foundational progressions and sideline traditions.

Meet the Coaches

Lisa McDonald

Tiger Cheer Head Coach

Lisa has been living & breathing cheer since she first took the mat in 8th grade, and has spent nearly 25 years coaching at virtually every level the sport has to offer - rec, high school sideline & competitive, all-star (including multiple national championship titles), and STUNT at the youth, junior, & high school levels. Along the way she built & ran a year-round rec program spanning hundreds of athletes & dozens of teams, coached all-star teams from Youth 2 through Senior 4, taught tumbling, stunting, & flyer classes & privates, and held USASF certification for Levels 1-6.

Now heading into her 7th fall season as Tiger Cheer's head coach, Lisa has grown the program from a single varsity team of 20 athletes into five thriving teams - and added the Traditional Competitive Cheer (TCC) team last year, which earned a top 5 CIF finish & qualified for State in their very first season. Her proudest Tiger moment remains leading the STUNT team to an undefeated season, league & CIF Section championships, and the program's first-ever State appearance. For Lisa, it has always been about more than wins - it's about building skills, confidence, & a team spirit that athletes carry with them long after the season ends.

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    Alexis Aguirre

    Varsity Head Coach

    Alexis’s cheer journey began at age 8 in competitive cheer & continued through high school, where she also coached tumbling & multiple All Star teams for 5 years. After graduation, she joined the Cal Poly Cheer & STUNT Team, further sharpening her skills. 

    Now in her second year coaching at SLOHS, Alexis is excited to return and lead the varsity and competition teams while continuing to inspire the next generation of athletes.

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    Sheena Hopkins

    JV Black Head Coach

    Sheena’s cheer story starts right here in SLO - she built her foundation in the SLO youth cheer program, developing the skills & passion that still drive her coaching today. Over the past decade, she has poured that energy into developing young athletes, including many years leading the SLO youth cheer program herself.

    Now in her 4th year with Tiger Cheer, Sheena coaches both JV Black in the fall & varsity in the winter - bringing the kind of commitment that goes beyond the mat. As a proud parent of a current SLOHS student, she has a deep personal connection to the Tiger community & everything this program stands for. Her energy, dedication, & genuine care for every athlete make her an invaluable part of the Tiger Cheer coaching staff.

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    Kendra Fetterly

    Varsity Coach

    Kendra brings firsthand experience & genuine passion to the SLOHS cheer program. A cheerleader throughout high school, she excelled in both sideline & competition cheer before joining the coaching staff two years ago as JV Head Coach. Now in her second year with Varsity & the competition team, Kendra has quickly become an integral part of the program's growth.

    Her favorite aspect of cheer is stunting - where teamwork & trust take center stage - and that enthusiasm shows in everything she brings to practice.

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    Payton Franco

    Varsity Coach

    Paytyn has been involved in cheerleading since the age of seven as an All Star athlete, Tiger Cheer Varsity member, and Tiger STUNT competitor. During her senior season, she earned All-League honors and was named Team MVP. 

    Now serving as a Varsity Cheer Coach, Paytyn is excited to give back to the program that shaped her as both an athlete and leader. Known for her positive energy and passion for teamwork, she is dedicated to creating a supportive and motivating environment for her athletes.

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    Ellie Mendoza

    Varsity Coach



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    Rebecca Rodriguez

    JV Black Coach

    Rebecca brings over a decade of sideline cheer experience to Tiger Cheer, along with a year of youth cheer coaching. This is her 3rd season coaching at SLOHS. A proud SLOHS Tiger Cheer and STUNT alum, Rebecca also wrestled at Laguna Middle School & SLOHS. Her well-rounded sports experience, dedication, & enthusiasm make her a valued mentor for her athletes.


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    Emily Nicoletti

    JV Gold Coach

    Emily is an alum of both Tiger Cheer and Tiger STUNT, earning Tiger Cheer's Team Spirit Award in her senior year. During her time as a student, Emily's talents reached beyond the sidelines - she was also involved in band & theatre. Her creative energy, Tiger pride, & love for cheer shine through in her coaching. Post-high school, she began coaching by leading the Frosh team and finished this past season as the JV head coach. Now in her third year of coaching, she's excited to coach the new and exciting JV Gold team!

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    Sadie Fischer

    JV Gold Coach

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    Zyanna Ayala

    JV Gold Coach

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    Bay Baysinger

    JV Gold Coach

    Bay brings a decade of cheer experience to the Tiger coaching staff, having cheered at Tualatin High School & with Oregon Dream Teams before joining SLOHS last year for their first season as a coach. Currently a student at Cal Poly SLO studying architecture & sociology, Bay offers a fresh perspective that makes them an exciting addition to the program.

    Bay's passion for cheer & love for learning shine through in everything they bring to the team, and they'll continue working with the competition team & assisting with the fall teams this season.