GREENWOOD - Head cheer and dance coach Kim Schoolfield has announced the additions of Erika Koizumi and Arie Catherine O'Dell as assistant cheer and dance coaches.
Koizumi is a 2021 Lander graduate with a degree in biology along with minors in chemistry and psychology. A representative of SAAC during her time as a student, she also served as team captain.
As a member of the Lander cheer team, she led her team to three top-ten finishes at NCA College Nationals in Daytona, Fla., including third place in 2021. She also helped the team secure several runner-up finishes at the Peach Belt Spirit Competition, including a championship win in 2019 as well as a first-place win and Grand Champion Award at Clash of the Conferences.
Erika is an instructor with Universal Cheerleaders Association where she travels the country teaching, leading, and inspiring the next generation of cheerleaders through summer camps and special events. She was named the Southeast Region Rookie Instructor of the Year in 2018.
"I am so honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Cheerleading Coach. For the past four years, the Lander University Cheerleading Team has been a family to me. It is where I took on many roles and grew as a person, athlete, and leader, so it definitely feels like a full-circle moment to be able to grow in the role of a coach here as well," said Koizumi. "Coach Kim has been such a big influence in my life, and I cannot wait to start this next chapter on the other side of things with her and the amazing team that we have. I look forward to continuing to cheer on the Bearcats!"
O'Dell is also a 2021 Lander grad. She graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis on Primary Montessori.
She served as Team Captain during her time as student-athlete here. In addition, she won the Academic Award for highest GPA, the Sportsmanship Award, and was named team MVP.
As a member of the Sassy Cats Dance Team, she led her team to three Peach Belt Championships and two top-five finishes at DTU College Nationals in Las Vegas, N.V.
"I am honored to accept this position. As a former member of Lander's Dance Team, I am looking forward to watching and helping this program grow," said O'Dell.
#cLawsUp | @LanderCheerDance
