Brooke Bright is an Okemah High School graduate, where she cheered and played basketball and softball. She is currently in her second year coaching high school cheer at North Rock Creek.
“I love our cheer practice time and being with our girls,” Bright said. “I also love getting to have an awesome assistant this year [Keelan Dodson] and being at the intermediate site, with the best team!”
Bright aims to push her team to bigger and better heights. When asked to describe her squad in one word she said, “gritty,” and explains why.
“I love setting the bar high for our athletes. At times they think it’s too difficult, until it’s not,” she said. “They have adjusted to a lot of ‘new normals’ – such a resilient group! They are not afraid of a challenge and will put in the work!”
Some of the evidence of this is in the highlight moments of this season. The Cougar cheer squad competed in OSSAA performance competition for the first time ever this year and made it to state. They were also academic state champs for both performance competition and game day competition. A key contributor to this awesome success is the team’s lone senior
“Our senior and captain is Kinsey Branch; she exudes leadership,” said Bright. “She is one of the hardest workers in the room always and demonstrates what we expect on and off the sidelines!”
The precedent is set for next year’s squad as well. Coach Bright had a hard time naming some underclassmen to watch because of the depth of talent.
“Our group is really dynamic… everyone fills special roles,” said Bright. “Our co-captains are Savannah Motrych and Laynee Joyner. They each are very competitive and push themselves in all areas of cheer. Freshman Presleigh Ablay and junior Elektra Coughran both are new additions this year adding to our talent and tumbling arsenal! Also juniors Hope Hodges and Leah Roberts have been consistent strong and healthy bases for our 2024-25 squad. I really could list every athlete for the outstanding job they’ve done thus far!”
