Lutz & Ayala to Lead MVC Cheer in 2019

MARSHALL, Mo. - Missouri Valley College Athletic Director Tom Fifer announces the hiring of Nicholas Lutz and Jessie Ayala as Co-Head Coaches for the Viking cheer program. (Source: ValleyWillRoll.com)

Both Lutz and Ayala come to Missouri Valley after many years of experience in cheer, both as student-athletes and coaches. Both are certified with the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators.

"We are very fortunate to find two outstanding young coaches to share the Co-Head Coaching position with the cheer program at Missouri Valley," said Athletic Director Tom Fifer. "I am very confident that Nick and Jessie will continue to grow what is already a great NAIA cheer program."

Ayala has served as an instructor with the Southwest Region of the Universal Cheerleaders Association since 2009 where she worked with cheerleading programs across the country. In addition to her time with UCA, Ayala has also spent time working with college coaching staffs from 2013-2018 developing routines and choreography. From 2012-2018, she was nominated as the UCA Southwest Vet of the Year. She was a three-time UCA National Champion on the Morehead State (Ky.) University cheer team from 2016-2018.

Lutz has been an instructor with UCA since 2015, traveling to coach at camps for both high school and college cheerleading programs. He was on the University of Kansas cheerleading staff in 2016 and became a Blue Medallion Instructor with International Cheer Union in 2018. Lutz was also a member of the Morehead State UCA National Champion teams in 2017 and 2018, and partnered with Ayala to earn the UCA Collegiate Partner Stunt National Championship in 2017.

Ayala graduated with a degree in graphic design from Morehead State in 2016, and Lutz graduated with a degree in journalism from Kansas.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to add to the already impressive legacy of the Viking cheer program," said Lutz. "I have high expectations for the future, and look forward to the continued improvement of Viking cheerleading, both on the sideline and on the competition mat."

"I am looking forward to working with the team, and becoming part of the Viking family," said Ayala. "I expect hard work and dedication, not only in the cheer gym, but also in the classroom. Every day counts to be successful and reach our goal."

The Viking cheer program has won three National Championships, including the 2018 NAIA Competitive Cheer National Championship. The program has won seven Heart of America Athletic Conference titles since 2011 and captured four-straight NAIA regional championships.