Cheer Force is proud to be the employer of exemplary coaches with extensive and well-rounded cheer experience. Our coaches come to Cheer Force not only with experience and a great love for children, but also with a passion for the sport of cheerleading. The goal of our coaching staff is to train cheerleaders so they reach their maximum potential in a positive, fun, and safe environment. They are an incredible staff with a tremendous love for what they do and the students they teach.

Sarah Marsh

Position: All Star Program Coordinator and All Star Coach
Years Coaching at CFA: 9
Squads Coached: Junior 4 (Phoenix), Senior Coed 5 (Falcons)

Sarah Marsh is the Coordinator for the Cheer Force All Star Program. She received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas. Sarah has been involved with cheerleading for the past 16 years. She has competed on nationally ranked squads and was an All American Cheerleader. Sarah has coached All Star cheerleading for the past 9 years and has been a part of the coaching staff for nationally ranked squads. In addition, Sarah has an extensive background in both gymnastics and dance and is a very gifted choreographer. She has choreographed both exhibition/recreation and competition cheer squads for many local schools and colleges. She also has staffed summer camps for local junior and senior high schools. She is also United States All Star Federation (USASF) certified Levels 1-5, American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) certified, and holds a USASF Judges Certification. Sarah’s experience, talent, dedication, hard work, and love for both the students she teaches and the sport of cheerleading make her awesome at what she loves to do!

Erik Wright 

Position: Tumbling Program Director, All Star Coach
Years at CFA: 7
Squads Coached: Mini 1 (Blue Jays), Junior 4 (Phoenix), Senior Coed 5 (Falcons)

Erik Wright is the Director of the Tumbling Program as well as a CFA All Star coach. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration for the University of Central Arkansas in May 2008. Erik is the son of owners, Scott and Elsie Rose so he has literally grown up in the gym. Erik competed up through Class 4 as a gymnast and has been coaching at the Sonshine Academy since 2002. He began coaching All Star cheerleading in 2006. Erik was also one of the coaches for the Hendrix Warriors Cheerleaders from 2008-2009. He is certified by AACCA as well as the USASF through level 5. He brings with him not only a lifetime of experience in the gym but an awesome ability to motivate and teach his students.

Laura Tucker

Position: All Star Coach
Years at CFA: 5
Squads Coached: Senior 2 (Condors), Senior 3 (Hawks)

Laura Tucker is a graduate from UCA where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science. She has recently attained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas. Laura is originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas where she was cheerleader for six years for both her Junior High and High School. She has coached both cheer classes and All Star squads for four years here at CFA. Laura’s experience as both a cheerleader and a coach gives her a great knowledge for the sport and her students benefit greatly from that in both skill and fun!

Michael Stage

Position: Tumbling Coach, Boys Gymnastics Instructor
Years at Sonshine Academy: 5

Michael Stage is a Junior at the University of Central Arkansas majoring in Pre-Med and is also a member of the Track Team where he specialized in the High Jump. He began his gymnastics career at Sonshine Academy as a young child and competed on the Gymnastics Team up through Level 6. Michael has been teaching Boys Gymnastics Classes and Tumbling classes for the past four years. His ability to motivate his students and break skills down in a way that is easily understood make Michael a very popular coach.

Tara Gary

Position: All Star Coach, Tumbling/Cheer Class Coach
Years at CFA: 3
Squads Coached: Junior 1 (Cardinals), Youth 2 (Eagles)

Tara Gary is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas. She is originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas where she was cheerleader for her High School as well as an All Star Cheerleader. She has coached tumbling, cheer classes, and All Star squads for two years here at CFA. Tara’s bubbly personality and love for her students combined with her skill and experience as a coach make for some excellent cheer results!

Drew Pate

Position: All Star and Tumbling Coach
Years Coaching at CFA: 3
Squads Coached: Mini 2 (Robins), Junior 1 (Cardinals), Senior 3 (Hawks)

Drew Pate began developing his skills as a competitive gymnast here at Sonshine Academy, competing on the level 5 gymnastics team for two years. He started his cheer career at Greenbrier High School. After discovering competitive cheer, he went on to compete on the Central Arkansas Cheer level 5 team for two years and then the level 5 team at Cheer City United – Cabot for one year. He won a total of five national championships and received a bid to the cheerleading World Championships while he was cheering for these two teams. He also cheered for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for one year. Drew is passionate about cheerleading and loves every aspect of it. It does not take many moments around him to catch his enthusiasm and love for the sport and for his students.

Antonion Anderson

Position: All Star and Tumbling Coach
Years at CFA:  2
Squads Coached: Senior 2 (Condors), Youth 2 (Eagles), Senior 3 (Hawks)

Antonio is a junior at the University of Central Arkansas where he is pursuing an accounting degree. He is also a new member of the purple UCA Large Coed Cheerleading Squad. Unlike the other coaches at CFA, Antonio did not find his passion for cheerleading and tumbling until 2009. After being a musician for ten years, he decided to branch out and try something new. After beginning tumbling classes here at CFA, Antonio began his career as a member of the Falcons Coed Level 5 squad from 2009-2010. Unable to cheer for CFA any longer due to his age, Antonio decided to continue his love for cheerleading by becoming a coach. He is USASF certified through level 4 and continues to grow as a coach each and every day. Antonio says, “giving his all to his students and cheerleaders so that they may have a good time while also learning new skills and achieving new goals is his greatest joy!"

Shelby Roofener

Position: All Star and Rec Cheer Coach
Years Coaching at CFA: 2
Squads Coached: Mini 1 (Blue Jays), Mini 2 (Robins)

Shelby Roofener is a recent graduate of Conway High School. She was a Wampus Cat Cheerleader for the past four years. Shelby’s senior year, she was the captain of the Conway High School Varsity squad. She has been a member on a competitive All Star cheer squad for seven years beginning as a level 2 and finishing as a level 5. Shelby is attending the University of Central Arkansas in the fall of 2010 and plans to major in accounting. She is a gifted teacher and coach and her students love her detailed and enthusiastic style of teaching. Shelby says “cheerleading is not just a sport to me but also my life and now my career. I love the fact that I have been blessed to be part of such a wonderful sport and look forward to working with you and your children.”

Henry Caldwell

Position: Tumbling Coach
Years Coaching at CFA: 2

Henry Caldwell is a sophomore at the University of Central Arkansas. He has been involved in gymnastics since he has young and has been a member of the Falcons Coed Level 5 squad for the past two years. He is also a new member of the purple UCA Large Coed cheer squad. Henry is an active volunteer of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Organization which helps to contribute over 500,000 total community service hours annually. He is also active in the Antioch Baptist Church youth program as well as the worship band. Henry is now using his gymnastics and cheer knowledge combined with his high energy and dynamic personality to teach, motivate, and entertain the students in his tumbling classes.

Christina Johnson

Position: Cheernastics/Cheer Coach, Falcon (Senior Coed Level 5) member
Years Coaching at CFA: 3
Squads Coached: Tiny (Chicks)

Christina Johnson teaches both cheernastics classes and pre-school gymnastics classes. She is a student at Conway High school and plans on going into biochemical/biomedical engineering. She first came to Sonshine Academy for gymnastics at the age of four and continued with gymnastics for eight years before switching to competitive cheerleading. She is currently in her fifth year of competitive cheerleading and is a member of the Senior Coed Level 5 squad. Christina has been a part of Sonshine for many years and hopes to have many more!

Sarah Jo Wright

Position: Cheernastics/Cheer Coach, Falcon (Sr. Level 5 Squad)
Years at CFA: 3

Sarah Jo is a Cheernastics and Cheer Class coach. She is currently a Junior at Conway Christian School. Sarah Jo is the daughter of owners, Scott and Elsie Rose so she has been around gymnastics, cheer, and dance her entire life. She competed in gymnastics up through Level 4 and has been a member of the Cheer Force All Stars for the past 6 years. She is also a member of the Platinum Dance Company at Sonshine Academy. Because of Sarah Jo’s well-rounded training in all of the areas required in the sport of cheerleading, she is a great benefit to her squad and her students.

Other coaches who have not turned in their bios are listed below...so when you see them at the gym tell them to get on it!

Lauren Throneberry

Jenny Turner

Toya McLeoud

Thomas Bradley