Head Cheerleading Coach/Spirit Coordinator: Cristina Gold
Cristina Gold is originally from Sarasota, Florida where she attended Sarasota High School. She is a 2002 graduate of Florida State University where she was a member and captain of the all-girl cheerleading team. Cristina also served as assistant cheer coach from 2002-2005 and has worked in the cheerleading & dance industry for over 20 years. When she is not coaching, Cristina cherishes time with her husband Jay and their two boys, Branden and Brody.
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Cheerleading Coach: Dustin Baker
Dustin Baker was born in Miami, raised in Live Oak, FL. and is a graduate of The Florida State University. Dustin graduated with a degree in Finance and Political Science. During his college career, Dustin was a cheerleader for all 4 years where he served as captain his senior year. He is the proud owner of Cheer Nation Athletics in Tallahassee, FL which has been recognized on the national level. In addition to Cheer Nation, Dustin currently works at TC Federal Bank and is an active member in the Tallahassee Community. When he is not working, Dustin loves to travel, be outdoors, and enjoy time with friends and family.
Assistant Cheerleading Coach: Lewis McClendon
Lewis McClendon originally from Atlanta, GA has been in the cheer industry for over 15 years. Lewis is a brilliant and innovative choreographer and coach. In 2014 Lewis was awarded the Choreographer of the Year from USASF. Lewis has coached and choreographed many National and World Championship routines and has been fortunate enough to work with some of the biggest names in the Allstar Cheerleading industry. Lewis looks forward to working with the Florida State Spirit groups and as always GO NOLES!
Assistant Cheerleading Coach: Emily Xanders
Emily Xanders is from St. Johns, Florida. Emily attended Florida State University, where she was a member of the All Girl Cheerleading team. After graduation, Emily continued her cheerleading career and education at the University of West Georgia. During her time at West Georgia, she was a member of the All Girl cheerleading team, winning 2 back-to-back National Titles from the UCA College Cheerleading Championship in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, Emily was a member of the All Girl US. National Team, representing the United States at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships in 2021 and 2022. Emily is also a member of UCA Staff, in which she teaches cheerleading camps at both the high school and collegiate level. Through UCA, Emily is also a member of UCA Core Staff, a group selected to train the staff for UCA Camps.
Assistant Cheerleading Coach: Katie Xanders
Katie Xanders is originally from St. Johns, Florida, where she attended Creekside High School. She graduated in 2020 from Florida State University, where she was a member of the all-girl cheerleading team. While getting her master’s degree, Katie continued her cheerleading career at the University of West Georgia, where she was a member of the all-girl cheerleading time. During her time at UWG, Katie earned two back-to-back National Titles from UCA College Nationals in 2021 and 2022. She also placed first in the 2022 NCA College Nationals Group Stunt Competition. She graduated from UWG with her master’s degree in 2022. Katie also had the honor of representing our country as a member of the all-girl U.S. National Team in both 2021 and 2022. Katie spends her summers teaching cheerleading camps across the country at both the high school and collegiate level as a member of UCA Staff, where she has been an instructor for six years. Through UCA, Katie is also a member of the UCA Core Staff, a role that allows her to train and prepare the UCA Staff for camps.
Golden Girls Coach: Chasity Tyus
Chasity is originally from Raymore, Mo in the Kansas City area! She started dancing at age 5 at Wynn Twins School of Dance and then continued her training at Studio J School of Dance. In high school, she was a varsity Raymore-Peculiar Prowlers Dance Team member where she was a junior and senior captain. Chasity continued her dance career at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo where she was on the 7-time National Champion Lion Line Dance Team. She was a junior officer and senior captain during her time on the team where she helped lead them to 3 national championships! Chasity is also a head instructor for NDA and she’s been with the company for 7 years. She is the former head dance team coach of Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis, Mo. She was also the grad assistant and Interim Head coach for the Lindenwood University Golden Line Dance Team. She choreographs for many state and nationally ranked high school dance teams in the Kansas City and St. Louis area. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources with a minor in Marketing and most recently with her Master’s in Business Administration.
Email: [email protected]
Golden Girls Assistant Coach: Jamie Corcoran
Jamie Corcoran is originally from central Florida. She attended FSU where she was a member of the Golden Girls dance team. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Jamie was on UDA staff for 4 years, getting to work with high school and college dance teams around the country. She is an instructor at Tallahassee Dance Academy and this will be her 4th year as the Golden Girls assistant coach.