Falls City Pair to Coach Peru State Competitive Cheer

PERU STATE, Neb. - It has been a goal for many years for a very successful mother-daughter team to eventually coach at the collegiate level in the competitive sport of cheer. That dream has come true for Carlene Cudney and her daughter Cara Cepuran as they were recently announced as the new coaches for the Peru State competitive cheer team by Bobcat athletic director Wayne Albury.

Albury commented, "Two years ago the College made the decision to move our cheer program to the competitive level in the NAIA. Coach Brooke Earnest did an excellent job of moving the program forward and getting things started at the competitive level."

Continuing Albury stated, "Recently Coach Earnest resigned her position to devote her time to her nursing career. Fortunately, we were able to secure the talents of Cara (Cepuran) and Carlene (Cudney) to take over the program. With their previous success as competitive cheer coaches, we are confident they will take the program to the next level."

The past and present of Peru State cheer coaches - from l to r: former coach
Brooke Earnest and new coaches Cara Cepuran and Carlene Cudney

The mother-daughter pair has been coaching cheer competitive since July of 1999. They began coaching the Falls City High School team and their teams and individuals have received many accolades. This includes, but limited to, five consecutive championships in the Husker Nation Cheer competition, three years of winning the Nebraska State High School Game Day Class completion, and a National Cheer Association First Place in the International Competition – Small Co-Ed Division. In addition, their teams and/or individuals have chances to cheer at the NFL Pro Bowl.

In January 2010, Cepuran opened Champions Central Athletic in Falls City with her mother assisting her as a coach. During that time they have had several national championships including just recently as three of their teams – Level 1 Juniors, Level 1 Minis, and Level 1 Novice – all were named winners in the Redline National Championships.

They both have earned two Excellence In Coaching awards and Carlene was a COA Coach of the Year Nominee is 2016.

Most recently, Cepuran opened a satellite of Champions Central Athletic in Auburn.

About her new role, Cudney commented, "Words cannot describe how exciting and fulfilling it is to be a coach for Peru State College. I look forward to being on the sidelines and on the competition floor with these incredible athletes. Go Cats!"

Cepuran added, "I am very excited to start the journey at Peru State College! As a coach, I look forward to what the future holds for Bobcat cheer and excited to build upon this great program. It's been wonderful to have such welcoming staff while we transition into this position! I feel blessed to have this opportunity and be a part of Peru State College! Let's Go Bobcats!"

The duo has already hit the recruiting trail after taking part in the first tryout which was held recently. They will be hosting another tryout on May 1 with more details coming out about this opportunity soon.