Athletes from the Brigham Young University Jazz team will represent the USA in the US National Team Cheer Jazz Division
Sacramento, California (February 18, 2020) – USA Cheer has announced the coaching staff and regional area that will represent the United States in the US National Team Cheer Jazz division at the 2020 International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships, which takes place April 27-29, 2020 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resorts.
The Head Coach and Artistic Director of the Brigham Young University Cougarettes is Jodi May Maxfield, who has led the team since 1990. In those 30 years, Courgarettes have won a total of 19 NDA National titles in Team Performance, Jazz and Hip and Hip Hop. She has been recognized as coach of the year in 2003 and 2004 Dance Spirit Magazine, and cover of Dance Spirit in April 2019. The Cougarettes represented the United States in Premier Hip Hop in 2019, and took home the Silver. Maxfield leads a team that hails from Utah, Idaho, Arizona and South Carolina.
“What an incredible honor to be selected as part of the US National Team for the second year in a row. We are as excited to represent in Team Jazz this year as we were for the Team Cheer Hip Hop team last year,” says Maxfield. “We were in awe of being a part of this experience last year, and this year will no doubt be just as special and memorable.”
Assisting Maxfield is Jamyn Miller, a 4-year member of the BYU Cougarettes, from 2006 to 2010, winning two national title in that time. Miller agrees, “We are grateful to have been selected to represent the USA in Team Cheer Jazz this year. It’s a tremendous honor and privilege.”
“It’s such an honor to be selected to be the US National Jazz Team,” says choreographer/coach Karl Mundt. “The BYU Cougarettes have the perfect combination of athleticism and artistry. They will be an incredible representation!”
“What an honor it is to work with BYU once again. These dancers and coaches have such a connection with one another and that is what pushes their drive, determination, work ethic, and success,” says Stacy Shelton, USA Cheer’s Director of Dance. “It is such a wonderful experience when I work with them, and I always leave inspired. They are versatile athletes and their athleticism—brought over to the jazz category—and mixed with their artistry, technique, and ability to connect will be the perfect combination for USA Cheer. I can’t wait for them to take the international stage again.”
For more information about STUNT and USA Cheer, contact Lauri Harris, lharris@usacheer.org.