CHEERLEADING | Varsity

Head Coach- Kelsey Bakken (5th Season)

Email- kbakken@cps.edu

Program History:

2018 - 2nd Place Co-Ed Division

2016- 3rd Place Medium Division 

2015 3rd Place Medium Division

Coach Bakken has grown the sideline and competitive cheer programs at Solorio for the past 5 years.  Originally only a sideline program, Coach Bakken has developed 2-levels of sideline and competitive cheer that has continued to improve each year.

The sideline cheer program supports all of Solorio’s 25 varsity and junior varsity programs, leading cheers and performing at halftime to bring spirit and enthusiasm to the home crowds.

In the winter, Coach Bakken’s program transitions into their competition season.  Solorio has placed in the top 3 at the Chicago Public League Championships 3 of the past 4 years, while also earning a first place finish at the Oswego Invitational in 2018. 

Getting to know Coach Bakken:

Why did you get into coaching?

“To help develop leadership skills in student athletes and give young men and women an opportunity to learn about their potential in new athletic endeavors.”

What are your goals for your program/team?

“We are working to develop our skills as a team. Cheer is a sport where you can continue to grow season after season no matter how long you have been playing the sport. We are hoping to continue to grow the depth of our team by pushing our JV squad to compete at more competitions. As for the Varsity team we hope to continue improving our scores at competitions and rank in the tops teams within CPS. “

What is your favorite part of coaching at Solorio?

“Watching how proud students feel when they view their final routine of the year and compare it to the pep rally routine. They see so much growth in just a few short months and watch how this drives them to create more goals for themselves and their team.”