The North Star Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The coaching staff is dedicated to ensuring that North Star Athletics is a positive environment where athletes are encouraged and challenged to be their best physically, mentally, and emotionally. In addition to building cheer, dance, and tumbling skills, our staff works to develop leadership skills, positive self-image, and goal setting with each individual athlete.
Owner & Coach
Natalia Collins
Coach Natalia, has over 20 years of coaching experience in gymnastics, tumbling, recreation and All Star cheerleading. Natalia has been the program director and head coach for the Longmeadow Knights Cheerleading team for the last past 10 years where she has taught the passionate athletes to exceed their limits and see their potential. Collins has coached her past cheerleading teams to nationals, including NHSCC, The Quest and Summit. Natalia most recently (2024) coached her team to the summit nationals FINALS with North Star Athletics. Natalia is the proud co-owner of North Star Athletics.
​
Owner & Coach
Jessica Prokop
Coach Jessica has over 20 years of coaching experience of High School, Recreation and All Star cheer teams. Some of Jessica's past worked has been employed as a Uniform Designer and has sat on multiple judging panels. Jessica is known for her unique choreographed cheer routines. Many of her routines have landed themselves on display at National competitions. ​ Jessica has coached many cheer level teams that have made it to nationals including NHSCC, The Quest and Summit. In the 2020/2021 season Jessica choreographed her teams routine and their team placed 14th overall in the country in Summits. Jessica is the proud co-owner of North Star Athletics.
​
​
Coach
Caitlin Coleman
​Caitlin was a flyer for the Longmeadow Knights and USA Wildcats for 5 years. Caitlin has competed at many prestigious competitions including Summit, US Finals, Cheersport and NHSCC . Caitlin has earned her under grad degree in clinical psychology and is working on her Masters degree. Caitlin works as a Child Mental Health Counselor and brings her love for children and athletics to our North Star coaching family.
Coach
Krissy Pare
Krissy comes to us with 4 years experience as a All Star Cheerleader and she also cheered for her school teams for 8 years. Krissy has been a cheerleading coach for the last 7 years, coaching rec programs, High School and All Star Cheerleading.
Coach
Ava Collins
Ava coaches Frostbite and Everest at North Star Athletics. Ava has been a cheer coach for the last 5 years between the Longmeadow Knights and North Star Athletics. She is the Captain of the Longmeadow High School Cheer team and has competed at NHSCC, The Quest, Summit and Worlds.
Coach
Abby Richard
Abby coaches Frostbite at North Star Athletics. She has been a cheer coach for 3 years coaching with North Star Athletics as well as the Longmeadow Knights. She is the captain of the Longmeadow High School Varsity Cheer team. Abby has attended The Summit Nationals.
Coach
Kristin Cote Russell
Kristin comes to North Star with over 10 years of recreational, high school and collegiate cheerleading experience. She is a Marine Corps veteran and believes developing a strong foundation is key for future success. As a coach for Frostbite, she's looking forward to the opportunity to influence young athletes in their beginning years of cheerleading- building skills both on and off the mat.
Coach
Kym
​Kym started gymnastics at the age of 6 and won many regional and state championships. Kym has over 30 years of coaching experience, coaching with and alongside former Olympic champions Tim Daggett and Joey Haggerty. Kym was mentored by John Ed Burch in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Coach
Mady
Mady began her athletic career as a gymnast and has 10 years of All Star Cheer experience. During her time as a cheerleader she competed at competitions such as Summit, US Finals and Cheersport. She is currently in graduate school for Mental Health Counseling and works with children in ABA Therapy. She believes that the tools and techniques that she has gained over time will provide her with the ability to work with athletes with all different personalities and backgrounds.
Coach
Ryan
Ryan has dedicated 15 years to cheerleading, including recreational, high school and All Star Cheerleading. Ryan's position on her teams was primarily a flyer with experience in basing as well. As a coach at North Star Athletics Ryan coaches three teams: Everest, Frozen Reign and Shiv3r. Ryan is currently studying physical therapy and working in the field, with a passion for applying their skills to help athletes recover from injuries and maintain peak performance.
Coach
Hannah
Coming Soon
Coach
Ashley
Ashley has been involved in the cheerleading world since she was 7 years old. She competed in rec cheerleading and was captain for her varsity high school cheerleading team where she helped lead the team to win the state title. She also cheered for Westfield State University where she was both a base and a co-ed flyer. Ashley specialized in tumbling for many of her teams.
Coach
Savannah
Savannah is a senior at East Longmeadow High School and is the Captain of the Varsity cheer squad. She has been a East Longmeadow Cheerleader for 11 years and has coached the recreational program for 4 years. She has been to summit nationals with North Star Athletics coaches Polar Bears and is currently on the senior level 3 team at North Star.
Coach
Heather
Coming Soon
Coach
Nikki
Coach Nikki has over 30 years experience in the cheerleading industry. Coach Nikki cheered for Methuen High School, East Elite All Stars and then continued on in college at the University of Louisville and cheered on Gym Tyme All Stars. Coach Nikki has coached all levels of cheer with rec teams and all star teams and has several national wins throughout all of hr coaching years.