Recent Bethany College alumna Taylor (Eicholz) Martinson will coach Bethany's cheer squad and dance team.

Martinson will begin on June 15. As head cheer and dance coach, she will be responsible for planning performances, leading practices, recruiting student-athletes and fostering relationships.

"Taylor's enthusiasm, her passion for Bethany College, and her familiarity with Bethany's programs are great assets for us and for our students," said Athletic Director Jon Daniels.

Martinson said that her main goal is to lead and assist the cheer squad and dance team in building school spirit.

A 2008 graduate of Bethany College, Martinson holds a bachelor's in physical health and wellness. During the past year, she has served as head dance coach at Smoky Valley High School and assistant coach of Bethany College's cheer squad and dance team.

Martinson has more than 20 years of studio dance experience. She regularly judges cheerleading and dance competitions and high school tryouts, and has taught dance in a studio for three years. She also has choreographed routines for pageants, dance teams, cheer squads, musicals and studios. 

Martinson was a member of the Bethany College Dance Team from 2004 to 2006. She previously attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where she received a full dance scholarship and was a member of the pom squad. She has performed at the 2003 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, and in 2003 was named a National Dance Alliance All-American.

A native of Altus, Okla., she was captain of her high school dance team.