GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado University athletics welcomes Anna Porter to the department as the new head cheerleading coach.

Porter was a varsity cheerleader at the University of Nebraska Kearney from 2016 through 2018, serving as the team captain her senior season with the squad (2017-2018).

She earned her bachelor's degree from UNK in May 2020 and went on to earn a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the University of South Dakota in May 2022.

Porter has been with the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) since May 2020, serving as an instructor and choreographer. She earned the NCA MVP Rookie Award in 2020 and was nominated for the Top Rookie in 2021 and the Top Veteran in 2023.

During her time as an instructor with NCA Porter worked with more than 25 high school and college cheer teams, providing comprehensive instruction and team-building experiences.

She collaborated with NCA's corporate team in the oversight of camps, and when serving as Instructor in Charge, worked with coaches prior to and throughout camps to cultivate the best experience for each team.

As a choreographer, Porter tailored routines for teams based on each squad's specific skills and needs.

Porter will coordinate all aspects of spirit teams at Mountaineer home events. This role includes the cheer squad and the Western Colorado University drumline, and potentially a Mountaineer dance team. She will work with Athletic Facilities and Operations Coordinator Tyler Jacobs in arranging halftime promotional events with Mountaineer corporate sponsors.

She arrives on the Western Slope and begins work on campus on June 12.