MOUNTAIN ELITE TEAM & TESTIMONIALS

MOUNTAIN ELITE
ALL STAR CHEER & TUMBLING
We began with a few small group and private tumbling classes in 2020, and officially became Mountain Elite in 2021! We offer low-commitment tumbling classes and one-on-one lessons for every age and skill level as well as All-Star competitive and performance based cheer teams that train year round. Athletes are involved in the High Country community, perform locally, and compete regionally.
Check us out!
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Follow us for pictures and videos of our local athletes @mountainelite on Instagram!
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Email us for our upcoming performance list

MANDI HOOD
OWNER & PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Hi! I'm Amanda Christine Power Hood, but you can call me Mandi or "Coach." I moved to Boone, NC in the spring of 2019 from New York City, and started Mountain Elite in summer of 2020!
Experience
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Owner and Program Director of Mountain Elite
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Head Coach of St. John's University Cheer in NYC (Div I)
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Cheer and dance judge for UCA and NCA competitions
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STUNT official for the Public School Athletic League of NYC
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Camp, clinic, choreography instructor for youth, high school, and college teams
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St. John's University co-ed cheer team captain
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Quest Athletics competitive athlete in Pine Bush, NY
Certifications:
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US All Star Federation (USAF) Member Coach
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USA Cheer Safety & Risk Management
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USA Cheer - Coaching Young Athletes
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SafeSport Trained (Abuse Prevention)
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CDC Heads Up - Concussion Training
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Red Cross First Aid for Coaches
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Positive Coaching Alliance - Coaching with Empathy

JESSICA GOTT
COACH
MEET COACH JESSICA
COACHES ALL STAR CHEER TEAMS AND CLINICS
CERTIFICATIONS:
US All Star Federation (USAF) Member Coach
SafeSport Trained (Abuse Prevention)
CDC Heads Up - Concussion Training
Jessica is from Wake Forest, North Carolina, and is a graduate student at Appalachian State University pursuing her Master of Social Work. She has been coaching for over 3 years and joins with an impressive 13 years of cheerleading experience, including school and All-Star cheerleading as well as being an instructor with Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). Jessica is the former President of the App State Club Cheer team and holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work with a minor in American Sign Language. She loves creating a positive, supportive environment where athletes can grow and reach their goals!

SAIGE SPOON
MEET COACH SAIGE
COACHES ALL STAR CHEER TEAMS AND OFFERS PRIVATE LESSONS
CERTIFICATIONS:
US All Star Federation (USAF) Member Coach
SafeSport Trained (Abuse Prevention)
CDC Heads Up - Concussion Training
Saige is from High Point, North Carolina and has been involved in dance, gymnastics, and cheer from a young age. She is a senior at Appalachian State University where she studies Child Development and Psychology. Saige has been coaching for 3 years and brings 7 years of cheerleading experience to Mountain Elite. As an athlete, she earned multiple national titles, including Summit Gold and Worlds Silver. Saige loves helping young athletes build confidence, develop their skills, and have fun along the way!
COACH

KELSEY HAINES
COACH
MEET COACH KELSEY
COACHES TUMBLING CLASSES, LESSONS & CLINICS
CERTIFICATIONS:
CDC Heads Up - Concussion Training
CNA
Kelsey is from Matthews, North Carolina and is a senior at Appalachian State University studying Nursing with a minor in Medical Humanities. She brings years of cheerleading experience from middle and high school, where she won 3 state championships and placed 7th at High School Nationals. Kelsey also competed on the App State Club Cheer team and served as Vice President. She especially loves tumbling because it gives her the opportunity to continuously learn new skills and improve her technique. Kelsey brings that same passion for learning and skill development to Mountain Elite, where she is entering her second year of coaching and teaching tumbling classes.

BELLA RACANO
MEET COACH BELLA
ALL STAR CHEER COACH. 25-26 TEAM TBD
CERTIFICATIONS:
CDC Heads Up - Concussion Training
Bella is from Charlotte, North Carolina and is a sophomore at Appalachian State University studying Psychology. She brings 6 years of All-Star cheerleading experience from Charlotte All Stars, where she competed before moving to Boone and joining the App State Club Cheer team. Bella has coached several cheer teams and recreational classes at Charlotte All Stars and is entering her second year of coaching at Mountain Elite. She loves helping athletes build their skills, confidence, and love for cheer.
COACH

HANNAH PREBLE
COACH
MEET COACH HANNAH
COACHES TUMBLING CLASSES, LESSONS & CLINICS
CERTIFICATIONS:
CDC Heads Up - Concussion Training
CNA
Hannah is a second-year student at Appalachian State University studying Nursing. She brings over 10 years of cheerleading experience and currently competes on the App State Club Cheer team. Hannah has been coaching cheer for 5 years and gymnastics for 3 years. Cheer has taught her the importance of teamwork, resilience, and perseverance, and she loves helping young athletes develop those same qualities while growing their skills in a sport she loves. This is her first season with Mountain Elite.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY


KIM, CHEER MOM
When first hearing about Mountain Elite, I thought it would be a great way for my daughter to improve her tumbling skills for dance. We signed up for individual lessons last summer and my daughter really enjoyed working with her coach. Towards the end of summer, she told me that she thought cheer would be something fun for her to do in addition to dance. So, I reached out to Coach Mandi. With Ella already enrolled in several dance classes as well as on a competitive dance team, I didn’t want to overwhelm her. And that’s when we found out about the youth novice teams. It was a perfect fit for Ella being new to cheer and already being committed to dance. Ella had the best experience this cheer season! She learned new skills and her confidence grew in amazing ways. She learned the importance of teamwork and is excited for another season!

AMANDA, CHEER MOM
Mountain Elite has opened doors for Scarlett that go far beyond cheer. Yes, she’s learned skills, stunts, and routines — but more importantly, she’s gained confidence, discipline, and true friendships. The bonds she’s formed with her teammates are more than friendships — they’re sisterhoods that I know will grow with her for years to come.
She shines so brightly with positivity and self-assurance, and I see the impact of every coach, every staff member, and every moment spent within those gym walls. The encouragement, motivation, and guidance she receives have helped shape her not just as an athlete, but as a person.
As parents, we pour everything we can into raising strong, kind, and capable kids. But it’s the people around them — those who choose to show up, guide, and invest in them — who help complete the picture. The Mountain Elite family has stepped into that role in every way. You care. You commit. You correct with love. You celebrate their wins and help them grow through challenges.

ASHLEE, CHEER MOM
The Mountain Elite program and its wonderful coaches have been such a blessing to our family. I wasn't sure about my 9-year old trying out for competition cheer, but it turned out to be one of the decisions I've made. My child blossomed into a confident, self assured young lady. She made 12 new best friends. She had people who believed in her, who pushed her beyond what she thought was possible. It didn't matter how many bear crawls she had to do, how sweaty and exhausted she was after practice, how many times a stunt fell, she was always so happy when I picked her up. She had coaches who truly cared about each athlete on their team and went above and beyond to show that care and love.
Cheer is not about hair bows and makeup; it's not about winning or losing. It's about the experiences, the friendships, and the life lessons learned along the way.

AMY, CHEER MOM
At 9 years old, my daughter developed a passion for cheerleading, leading us to discover Mountain Elite Allstar cheer. Under the guidance of the Director and Coaches, she has grown into a skilled Elite All Star cheerleader. The program's family-oriented atmosphere, fostered by supportive parents and friendships, has been instrumental in building her confidence and self-esteem, allowing her to excel on stage. We appreciate the Mountain Elite program and the outstanding coaches, parents and friendships.

KAYT, CHEER MOM
We have had a wonderful experience with Mountain Elite over the past three years. We built lifelong friendships, both my daughter and our family. My daughter has learned how to navigate through life lessons while building her self esteem. She obviously grew as an athlete, but she learned so much more than just the physical aspect. She learned how to be part of a team, how to lose, how to win, and how to be a good team member.

KAITLYN, CHEER MOM
I just want to thank you for an incredible season for my daughter She has grown so much on and off the mat this year. I am so proud of her. She’s made some amazing bonds with some of her Mountain Elite family. I am so appreciative of you and all the hard work you’ve put in to make this program. My daughter truly loves it and s already counting down to next year.

Mountain Elite is a proud member of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the U.S. All Star Federation for Cheer and Dance


