MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, California -- The Barstow Superstars cheerleading team won regionals and nationals in their division, with dedication, perseverance, and a devoted coach.
Their head coach, Britney Gray, supply technician on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, has volunteered her time to coach and mentor the Superstars all the way to nationals.
“I have coached cheerleading since 2012; this is my first year winning nationals,” said Gray. “I love every bit of it. When I first start with a new squad, I start off by teaching them the basic moves of cheerleading.”
These basic cheer moves are jumping, kicking, and chants, she further explained.
“When the girls first start they (usually) get frustrated with themselves and as a coach, I have to help them calm down,” said Gray. “What I normally say to them when they are frustrated is, ‘stop, think about what you’re doing, take a deep breath and try again’ and they get it right.”
The best part is when they finally get that move down and their faces light up with excitement and joy, she further explained.
While Gray is coaching, she likes to push the girls outside of their comfort zone and encourage them do moves outside of their age group as well.
“I like to challenge the girls a lot,” said Gray. “That’s how we won nationals; our routine wasn’t in our age group. It was a 13-15 age group routine and my girls are 6-12.”
She gives her all to the girls she coaches and tries to not only make them become better cheerleaders but people as well.
“I look at each one of those girls as if they were my own daughters,” said Gray. “I have never had a daughter, so I feel like I have 55 daughters and I love each one of them the same way.”
Britney is really good with the girls, said Danielle Escalante, assistant coach of the Barstow Superstars. She not only teaches them about cheer but about life as well.
“She dedicates all of the time she can to them,” said Escalante. “She also has put things in her life aside for the girls on the squad. On average, she gave the girls two to three hours of her time at each practice.”
She not only impacts the girls but she impacts others as well, added Escalante.
“Since coaching with her, she has helped me a lot as well,” said Escalante. “Britney is a great person and I look up to her just like all the other girls on the squad do. She is an excellent and responsible role model.”
However, Gray doesn’t take all the credit for herself.
“I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goal if it wasn’t for the girls putting in all the hard work and the parents who helped out a lot,” said Gray. “If it wasn’t for them bringing them to each practice and every event, we wouldn’t have gone so far. This just gives me a bigger drive to keep doing what I am and win another.”