Lewis University Athletics

Lewis University Assistant Vice President for Athletics John Ashaolu announced that Kaitlyn VanHekken has been named the first-ever STUNT coach at Lewis.

"I'm extremely pleased to welcome Kaitlyn to Lewis University as our inaugural Head STUNT coach," Ashaolu said. "As a former All-American STUNT student-athlete and coach, she brings a wealth of skills and experience that will help Lewis University build a national competitor and grow the sport in the Chicagoland area."

VanHekken joins Lewis after spending the last two years in a similar role at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois as well as the cheerleading coach. During her time at Dominican, VanHekken helped the growth of the programs in the NCA while also hiring, overseeing, mentoring and directing for the dance program.

In her first season at the helm in 2025, VanHekken guided the Flyers to three wins. She led Lewis to the programs first victory in program history with a 4-1 decision over Quincy University on Feb. 16, 2025. The program also produced four Academic All-GLVC honorees as well.

On top of coaching at Dominican, VanHekken is also the cheerleading coach for the ICE All-Stars in Naperville, Illinois, a position where she has held since May 2023. During her time at the ICE All-Star, VanHeeken led a level 1 and 4 All-Star Team where she plans and runs practices, manages team travel, understanding the rule book and point valuation of routines.

Prior to her time at the ICE All-Stars, VanHekken was a cheerleading coach for Cheer Destiny All-Star Gym in Chicago, Illinois. While there, she led a level 2.2 all-star team while providing private gymnastics and cheerleading lessons and coaching high school teams on elite-level stunts, choreography and tumbling skills.  

Prior to coaching, VanHekken was a four-year member of the competitive cheer and STUNT team at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. VanHekken graduated from Alma in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communication. 

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring STUNT to Lewis," VanHekken said. "Everyone at the university has been extremely helpful and supportive, I know that this is a place where the sport is going to be able to thrive. I am excited for the future of this program and to be a part of it."

During her time at Alma, VanHekken was a first-team CSCA All-American and was named team captain during her junior and senior seasons. VanHekken also was apart of the National Cheerleading Association National Championship Team in 2018 and 2021 as well as the STUNT National Champion in 2021. 

Lewis STUNT will begin competition this upcoming season for more information visit: https://lewisflyers.com/sports/stunt