Cullman Bearcat Cheerleaders are coming off an Alabama High School State Championship and looking to back it up under new Coach, Elizabeth Pylant. Pylant has a tremendous amount of experience in the cheer world and there is no doubt Pylant along with Coaches Lacy and Josh Stancil and Amy Kinney will have the girls fully prepared to bring home another State Championship.
Coach Elizabeth Pylant is a mathematics teacher and is currently in her fourteenth year at
Cullman High School. This is her first year as the Varsity head coach and currently serves as the Varsity and Competition Cheer Coach at Cullman High School. Coach Pylant coached the JV cheer and competition team from 2006-2007 school year through 2009-2010. In 2010, the JV competition team placed 3rd at UCA Nationals.
Coach Pylant is married to Derrick Pylant. They have three children: Aynsley (10), Braylon (7), and Caibry(2). Aynsley and Braylon are West Elementary students. Caibry is looking forward to being a future bearcat. They would like to wish the best of luck to Coach Glasscock and his team! It’s great to be a Cullman Bearcat!
Summer practices:
This year has brought its share of challenges for first time Varsity Cheer coach Elizabeth Pylant. Even with all of the uncertainty, the Cullman High School cheerleaders have done their best to make this summer as productive as possible. They held virtual conditioning sessions from March through June. When they were cleared to practice, they made sure to follow all school and AHSAA guidelines with regard to masks and social distancing. The girls participated in a home camp where they were able to learn many new elite skills. The girls have been working hard to learn new cheers and dances in order to cheer on the bearcats this fall. We have an incredible group of talented coaches who are dedicated to the program, so we have a bright future!
Senior captain statement:
“Senior cheerleader and Captain Katelyn Kress said “ The seniors are especially glad that the AHSAA is allowing us to cheer our final football season. Also, we just finished choreography camp and I’m excited to see what we bring to the mat this year! We lost a lot of seniors last year, but we’ve got some new faces and we’re practicing a lot to claim our 5th consecutive state championship and keep the tradition alive!”
Statement from Competition Coach Lacy Stancil:
“This season has already been filled with challenges for this group of athletes, losing a huge senior class, a new head coach, and COVID-19 guidelines. I am so proud of how they have handled each challenge they have been presented with. They are determined to make the best of what is being dealt to them which shows a lot about their character. I am so excited to see what they accomplish this year.“
Coaching staff: Josh Stancil, Lacy Stancil, Amy Kinney, and Elizabeth Pylant
Statement from Josh Stancil:
“Holding onto a legacy, especially one as good as Cullman Cheer, can be difficult. Given what they have already had to overcome, losing a super talented senior class, COVID-19, coaching changes, and the fear of the unknown for the future, these girls have already showed true resilience and determination to keep this legacy going! I am proud to be able to coach such a great group of girls. I am super excited about what this season will bring and the goals that will be accomplished through it.”
Statement from Coach Amy Kinney
“I am excited to see what this season will bring for our team. I am so proud of each of the girls for their hard work and determination. I hope this will be a memorable year for all of our girls as we strive to reach our teams goals together!”
