Head Coach: Katie McAninch
Katie McAninch began dancing at her local studio at age four in Modesto, CA. Other competitive activities soon followed including gymnastics, cheer, tumbling/trampoline, and sports acrobatics. In 2009, she moved to Houston, TX continuing to dance in the studio as well as joining her high school drill team. After high school, Katie began working for Crowd Pleasers Dance Company, traveling across Texas choreographing and teaching.
Katie continued her education at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, TX, competing on the Blinn Treasures dance team and winning a National Dance Alliance (NDA) collegiate title in 2014 while Captain. From Blinn, Katie went on to Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where she continued competing in dance on the SFA dance teams. Katie won three more NDA Collegiate titles at SFA and as Captain her second year. During these three years at SFA, Katie was heavily involved in the dance program studying Dance Pedagogy along with Theories and Principles of Dance. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Dance with a minor in Communication Studies in 2017. Katie received her MFA from Texas Woman’s University in 2020 where she researched and explored possibilities to enhance artistry in competitive dance team choreography. She went on to teach Dance and PE at Independence High School along with holding the Assistant Director position of the Royals Drill Team in 2020-2021. She decided to move back to Houston and started the inaugural Spirit Program at the University of St. Thomas, holding the title of Head Cheer and Dance Coach from 2021-2022.
Along with her position at Rice, Katie currently holds the title of Assistant Director of the Cypress Ridge High School Dazzlers while teaching Dance and Drill Team Prep classes.
Assistant Coach: Doran Triggs
Doran Triggs began her dance journey at Amanda’s Dance Studios in Grand Prairie, TX, where she trained from 2010 to 2013. In high school, she was an integral part of the Grand Prairie High School Drill Team, serving as Co-Captain in her junior year and Captain in her senior year. She continued to demonstrate her leadership and dedication as the seasonal choreographer at Grand Prairie High School.
Doran furthered her education at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX, competing with the Texas Star Dance Team at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals. She then transferred to Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX, where she continued competing with the SFA dance teams.
After college, Doran spent the 2019-2020 season with the San Francisco 49er “Gold Rush” Cheerleaders. During this time, she performed at NFL Super Bowl LIV and was one of ten dancers selected to represent the team during the opening week of the Super Bowl in Miami, Florida.
In addition to her dance career, Doran holds a B.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology from Stephen F. Austin State University with a minor in Combined Science and has held various positions at Stanford University School of Medicine. She currently serves as a Clinical Research Manager, Quality and Compliance, at the Stanford Center for Clinical Research, with multiple publications and presentations at professional conferences.
Doran is excited to join Rice University as the Assistant Dance Coach, bringing her extensive experience and passion for dance to the team.