MIDWAY, Ky. -- Midway University Vice President of Admissions and Athletics, Rusty Kennedy, has announced that Mitch Winchester, a former National Championship cheerleader at the University of Kentucky, has been hired as the head coach of the Cheer and Dance programs at Midway University.

"We are excited to welcome Mitch to Midway," said Kennedy. "The passion, knowledge, and energy he brings to the program made it clear that he was the right choice to lead our Cheer and Dance programs."

Kennedy added, "I look forward to working with him to continue building our programs over the next few years and I am certain that Eagle fans will enjoy watching our Cheer and Dance teams."

Winchester joins the Midway athletic department after a stint as the Assistant Cheerleading Coach at East Jessamine High School in nearby Nicholasville. He has been on the staff at East Jessamine since June 2018.

While there, Winchester helped instruct athletes in the proper techniques to safely and effectively execute skill, while also assisting in structuring practices, organizing fundraisers, and scheduling trips for games and competitions.

Prior to making the move to East Jessamine, Winchester served as the Assistant Cheerleading Coach at Takes Creek High School in Lexington. He assisted at Tates Creek for a year from May 2014 to May 2015.

Winchester got his start in coaching at New Haven High School in New Haven, Indiana. He was an assistant with the Bulldogs for a year from 2009-2010. While there, he assisted in the choreography and cleaning of the competition routine that placed second in the state in Indiana.

"I am incredibly exciting about this opportunity," noted Winchester. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish as we build these programs."

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Winchester served as a cheerleader at the University of Kentucky. He assisted in instructing athletes of all ages at the many camps and clinics hosted by the Wildcats.

Not only did Winchester assist in clinics and camps, but he was part of one of the best programs in the country. No other college cheerleading squad has dominated the college cheerleading landscape like the University of Kentucky.

Kentucky's blue squad has won an unprecedented 23 National Championships at the Universal Cheerleaders Association National Championships, while their white squad has won 12 championships at Cheersport Nationals. Winchester was part of four of the 12 National Championships for the white squad.

Winchester graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Spanish as well as a minor in Biology.

For more information about the cheer and dance programs at Midway University, please contact Coach Winchester at mwinchester@midway.edu or at his office phone at 859.846.5366.

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