Anthony Best

Anthony is our Head Coach, Chief Cheerleading Choreographer, and the dynamic, creative force behind Cheer Legendz. Anthony directly manages all aspects of the gym’s operations, including squad creations and development, choreography designs, and coach development. Anthony has been part of the cheerleading world since 1993. From cheering in high school, being a three year captain at the University of Missouri – Columbia, being a Head Camp Instructor for the National Cheerleaders Association for seven years, to coaching over well over 300 National Championship titles in all-star cheerleading since he began coaching in 2001, Anthony has done it all. He is our chief cheerleading choreographer and he is nationally recognized for his extraordinary talent. His choreography ability has enabled many high school teams throughout Missouri and Illinois to rank in the top five in state competitions. Anthony is the choreographer for the University of Missouri – Columbia, and Lindenwood University in St. Charles. Lindenwood University placed first (Co-Ed) and second (all-girl) in the 2011 NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach Florida, second in 2007 and third in 2006, 2009, and 2012. The University of Missouri was placed in the top 5 in 2011 and 2012, and has consistently placed in the top ten since he became their choreographer 2001. Anthony was awarded a Innovative Choreographer Award at the NCA Collegiate Nationals in 2009. Anthony is the Head Coach of the Cheer Legendz Pumaz team that earned a invitations to the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Cheerleading World Competitions, and placed in the top 10 teams in the NCA All-Star National Competition. Anthony also designs our unique Cheer Legendz cheerleading uniforms and was recognized by the Varsity Uniform Company for "Talent, drive, focus and skill combined with cutting edge style and one-of-a-kind design are what make these squads among the top competitors in the nation." Anthony is USASF level five safety certified in stunts, tumbling and baskets. He earned his degree from the University of Missouri in 2001.
 

 Laura Richard

Laura is Cheer Legendz’ Business Manager.  Her experience includes 17 years in healthcare business management, including developing successful start-up home care and hospice agencies, as co-owner and consultant.  In 1993, Laura co-created an independent home health agency in St. Louis.  She was responsible for planning, developing, and implementing operations. She and her team launched adult home health services, high tech pediatric and adult private duty services, pharmacy and high tech pediatric and adult infusion (IV) services, and in-house pharmacy services.  In the second year of operations the company grew to a staff of over 250 employees, was awarded JCAHO Accreditation with Commendation (an award of excellence), and received Medicare Certification Without Deficiency (an award of excellence).  Laura later worked with The Corridor Group, a private healthcare consulting group for five years.  She provided consulting services to healthcare systems throughout the United States.  She assisted clients in successfully initiating companies and turning around businesses to achieve financial, operational and clinical excellence.  Laura graduated 2nd in her class with a degree in Nursing from the University of Missouri and 2nd in her class with a Masters in Healthcare Administration is from the nationally-ranked top five Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  She was an administrator at the top five nationally-ranked BarnesHospital for several years.  Her experience includes notable innovations such as initiating the first AIDS hospice in the Midwest and one of the first in the US.   She is recognized among the Cambridge Who’s Who of Top Business Leaders in the United States.

  Fernando Brown

Fernando is one of the charter members of the Cheer Legendz coaching staff, and brings many years of experience and enormous talent to our program. As a former cheerleader at Missouri Valley College, he was a member of the team that won second place at the UCA Collegiate National Championships in Orlando, while earning his degree is Music & Performing Arts.  Fernando is our Hip Hop Head Coach and Chief Dance Choreographer and, under his leadership, these teams have won multiple regional, national, and grand national titles. In 2006, Fernando was recognized by American Cheerleading Magazine as one of the top young coaches in the nation. He is the Chief Choreographer and Head Coach of the Cheer Legendz Saberz Hip Hop dance team that earned an invitation to the 2009 and 2010 Dance Worlds (the first in Missouri and the only to be invited for 2 years!), and earned a 2009 NDA Innovative Choreography Award for the Saberz choreography. He also coaches the Cheer Legendz Senior Level 5 Co-Ed Pumaz that earned an invitation to the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2001 and 2012 Cheerleading World Competitions.  He is USASF level five safety certified in stunts, tumbling and baskets. 

 Melissa Dillon

Melissa Dillon began coaching gymnastics, tumbling, and cheerleading in 1999 and was a competitive gymnastic athlete for 13 years.  She earned over 200 medals including numerous Gold Medals and was named the Missouri State Gymnastics Champion for 3 years.  She was also recognized as one of top 10 Power Tumbling athletes in the United States for 2 years. Melissa is an original member of the Cheer Legendz coaching staff and she coaches cheerleading squads and tumbling.  Melissa is currently a teacher who teaches special needs students.  She was a member of the Lindenwood University cheer squad that won a third place in 2006 and 4^th place in 2005 at the NCA Collegiate National Championships in Daytona Beach.   

Ricky Hunt

Ricky has been a member of the Cheer Legendz staff since our inception. He joined our team as a former captain of the University of Missouri-Columbia cheerleading squad. As a member of the Mizzou cheerleading squad, he participated in all four years at the NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach, reaching finals in three of four years. While in college, Ricky was a gymnastics coach for the Tiger Academy in Columbia. Prior to college, he participated as an athlete and coach in sports acrobatics and won several regional and national titles. As one of the Cheer Legendz coaches, Ricky has helped to bring many national and grand national championship titles to our gym.  He is currently a coach for the Lindenwood University Collegiate squads that earned a 1st place (Co-Ed) and 2nd place (All-Girl) in the 2011 NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona, Florida and two 3rd place finishes in 2012.  Ricky has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Fitness from the UM Columbia and a Masters degree in Business from Lindenwood University.  

Wes Frazier

Wes Frazier has been a tumbling coach for over three years. He grew up in 9 years of gymnastics earning 3 Missouri State All Around titles and placing 12th at the Junior Olympic Development Competition. After a shoulder injury, Wes switched sports to trampoline for two years placing 7th at Nationals (level 10). Another injury led Wes to Cheerleading on Saint Louis Extreme's coed squad where he became captain his third and final year. His team won several championships. Wes also won national championships in individual male cheer and partner stunting. He offers coaching of all levels on both tumbling and stunting.

Eva joined the Cheer Legendz staff at the start of our third competitive season.  She began her cheerleading career in 2002 and won many National and Grand National Championship Titles at the all-star level, and was a member of the 2008 Cheerleading Worlds team.  As a high school cheerleader, Eva was a team member of Fox High Schools highest ranking team in school history winning 5^th place at the Missouri State Cheerleading Championships.  She is currently a student at Lindenwood University , and is a member of the All-Girl Collegiate Cheer Squad that earned a 2nd place title at the 2011 NCA Collegiate National Competition in Daytona, Florida.  Eva is earning her bachelor's degree in education.

 Britt Jacobs

Britt, an original member of Cheer Legendz and current Pumaz team member, joins our coaching staff with an extensive background as an All-Star Cheerleader.  She began gymnastics at the age of 8 and has been a competitive all-star cheerleader since 2002.  Britt has a long list of cheerleading accomplishments, with one of them being the first freshmen to make the JV cheerleading squad at LaFayette High School. Britt has won multiple National and Grand Championship Titles throughout her years of competitive cheerleading.  Britt is a USASF Certified Level 5 Athlete in both Tumbling and Stunts. Britt was a member of the Cheer Legendz Pumaz Worldz team in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Following the 2001 Worlds Competition, Britt was honored as one of 24 athletes (from all accross the U.S) who were selected to be members of the All Star All American team.

Travis Williams

Travis, an original member of Cheer Legendz and a current Pumaz team member, joins our coaching staff with an extensive background in All-Star Cheerleading. He began competing as an all-star cheerleader in 2004, and he has won multiple National and Grand Championship titles both as a team member and in Individual Competitions. Travis competed at the Cheerleading Worlds 3 times and was the captain of the Cheer Legendz Pumaz Worlds team in 2010,and a member of the 2011 & 2012 Worlds team. He coached the 2010-2011 Bengalz team that placed 2nd at the NCA All-Star National Competition.  He is a USASF Certified Level 5 Athlete in both Tumbling and Stunts.

Josh Fender

Josh has been a member of the Cheer Legendz staff since April 2010. He joined our coaching team while cheering for Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. As a member of the Lindenwood University cheerleading squad, he earned a 1st place title at the 2011 NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach and finished in the top 5 in 2010. While cheering in high school, Josh won 12 Best Tumbler titles, and he competed at the 2007 Cheerleading Worlds. He began coaching cheerleading and tumbling in 2005. Josh is currently earning his degree in EMT Paramedic/Fire Science from Lindenwood University.
 

Jelani Buchanan

Jelani joined the Cheer Legendz staff in May 2011. He was a member of the Cheer Legendz Pumaz and competed at the 2008 Cheerleading Worlds. Jelani is currently involved in all aspects of music including having a band and learning to become a d.j. He has been involved in tumbling since he was six years old.

Emanuel Williams

Emanuel “E-Man” joined our coaching staff in May of 2011 and has an extensive background in all-star cheerleading. He began competing as an all-star cheerleader in 2004, and is a former member of the Cheer Legendz Pumaz. E-Man was named top All-American at NCA Camp and has won multiple National Championships as an all-star cheerleading competitor. He competed at the Cheerleading Worlds in 2008 and 2009. E-Man cheered at the University of Kentucky in the 2009-2010 season.