Coaches
Head Coach Tia Kutz
Coach Tia has been coaching cheer for 16 years! She started coaching in All Star cheer in 2007. She quickly fell in love with the sport and continued to learn and grow! Fast forward to 2015, Coach Tia started volunteering at River Ridge as an assistant coach! Tia helped lead Ridge to 3 first place State titles in 2017, 2018, 2019, and a 2nd place title in 2020 as an Assistant Coach! In the middle of the 2021-2022 season Coach Tia took over the program as Head Coach earning another 2nd place state title in 2022. In May 2022 she was voted Washington State Cheer Coach of the Year. During the 2022-2023 season she led the team to the 4th 1st place State Title in 2023 and 9th place in the nation at UCA High School Nationals in Orlando, FL! During the 2023-2024 season Ridge earned their 5th state title and First top 5 finish at NHSCC UCA High School Nationals! Although wins and titles are amazing, she really takes pride in being a mentor to the kids! She feels it is so important for the kids to have somewhere they can feel loved and be themselves!
Assistant Head Coach Selaina Sayan
Coach Selaina has been in cheer as an athlete since 2007. She cheered All Star for 12 years. She is a Golden Pom Alumni of River Ridge Cheer, winning 3 state titles in 2017, 2018, and 2019! Selaina was All State Cheerleader of the year in 2018 and 2019. She attended and cheered at Washington State University, winning a National Championship in 2022. She has been a UCA staff member since 2019, helping teams all around the country. After college Selaina moved back to Lacey. She began her coaching journey at Ridge for the 2022-2023 season, earning her first state title and 9th place in the nation at UCA High School Nationals in Orlando, FL! During the 2023-2024 season Ridge earned their 5th state title and First top 5 finish at NHSCC UCA High School Nationals!
Assistant Coach Molly Thomas
Coach Molly is an alumni cheerleader of Bethel High School, winning a state title in 2014. She attended Central Washington University after high school as a cheerleader. Molly graduated from Central with her degree in Elementary Education. After moving back to Lacey, Molly became an elementary school teacher for NTPS school district. She joined the coaching staff at River Ridge during the 2022-2023 cheer season, earning her first state title and 9th place in the nation at UCA High School Nationals in Orlando, FL! During the 2023-2024 season Ridge earned their 5th state title and First top 5 finish at NHSCC UCA High School Nationals!
Assistant Coach Makaela Henderson
Coach Makaela was a competitive dancer for 12 years, winning many titles. She started her cheer career at River Ridge in 2015. Makaela is a Golden Pom River Ridge Alumni, winning 3 state titles in 2017, 2018, and 2019! Makaela was UCA staff in 2022, helping cheer teams all around the state. She began her coaching journey at Ridge during the 2022-2023 season, earning her first state title and 9th place in the nation at UCA High School Nationals in Orlando, FL