PROGRAM FOUNDERS
Co-Founders Crystal Stone and Savanah Hemphill partnered in 2018 to create the first ever competitive cheer team for Cloverdale Chargers. In the program's first year competing, they took first at their very first competition and got 3rd in the nation at USA Junior Nationals!
In 2019, Crystal and Savanah lead two teams to earn Quest bids for the first ever Recreational Championship in Orlando, Florida. The end result at this prestigious event? Both teams came home as Quest first place champions!
In the season to follow, Crystal and Savanah branched off to create their own program that we now know as Lightning Athletics.
Scroll down to learn more about these amazing women.
COACH CRYSTAL STONE
Co-Founder & Team Director
Coach Crystal's background in cheerleading expands from 10 years of cheerleading experience to over 10 years of coaching experience. Crystal even cheered on both the game day and competition team for UC Santa Barbara. She’s performed in the London New Years Day Parade, at the Oakland Coliseum, and in Daytona, Florida at NCA College Nationals. She worked for Pacific Coast Magic All Stars in college too.
While at UC Santa Barbara, Crystal not only got her bachelor's degree in Communication, but she also completed three associate level programs in Sport Management, Health & Wellness, and Personal Training. She's currently the Marketing Coordinator for New Heights Recruiting, which is an up and coming college cheerleading recruitment company as well. We love the professionalism, knowledge and humor she brings!
If you are interested in having the proper tools to get to the next level in cheerleading, Crystal can provide that for you! Whether it's choreography, stunt progressions, proper skill technique, performance presence or even full body workouts. She’ll do everything in her power for her athletes to be successful on and off the mat!
COACH SAVANAH HEMPHILL
Co-Founder & Operations Manager
Coach Savanah has been tied to cheerleading in some way since she was 9 years old, cheering for Cloverdale Chargers and then taking over as an assistant coach for the youth cheerleading program when she was in high school. Savanah has strong community ties, an impeccable work ethic, and a very kind and nurturing personality. She knows how to make every athlete feel welcome and appreciated.
Savanah's background in working with the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce and Camp Noyo has translated over to our program excelling in many ways. From getting proper equipment, a practice facility, making connections with Varsity staff, scheduling everything behind the scenes, being the account manager and making sure parents are well informed. This program would not be able to operate successfully without her. She is always thinking of the next way to help each athlete and this program.
