Marshall University Athletics
11/11/2026 1:14:00 PM | STUNT
Richard’s first recruiting class starts to take shape with 13 additions to Herd family
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall STUNT made history on Wednesday as head coach Evynn Richard announced members of the first class in the program's history.
Since being announced as Marshall's 19th sponsored sport and adding Richard as the program's first head coach in April 2026, Marshall has been on a quick pace to get STUNT off the ground and prepared for its first season of competition.
Richard said Wednesday's historical announcement is a major step forward as she announced 13 pioneering athletes who will serve as the foundation of the program.
"We are extremely excited to release to you all the first round of recruits in this rockstar Team One we are building," Richard said. "Assistant coach Peyton Anderson and I have been working tirelessly, fiercely and strategically to bring a first-year team that Herd Nation can be proud of."
Marshall STUNT is signing athletes in the Class of 2027 in preparation for its first season of competition, which will take place during the 2027-28 school year with a championship season in Spring 2028.
These multi-talented athletes help fill some of the positions within the sport of STUNT, which include Tumbler, Flyer, Main Base, Back Spot and Side Base.
This special group of athletes spans the entire United States – from as far as Washington and California to right here in West Virginia – as Richard searches not only for the right athletes to be part of Team One, but also the right fit for Marshall University.
"Each athlete you'll see across your screens from now until next August all were chosen not just for their talent, but because they see the history of Marshall, Huntington and the state of West Virginia, and want to be a part of something bigger," Richard said. History has been made, the legacy here has been set, and this group of athletes are READY to learn exactly what it means to Run With The Herd!"
Here is a list of Marshall STUNT's current Class of 2027 signees, followed by capsule information on each signee:
Marshall STUNT - Class of 2027 - Signees (13)
Daryn Bailey, Main Base/Mid-Layer, Allen Park, Mich., Allen Park H.S.
Darby Braasch, Main Base, Litchfield, Ill., Univ. of Kentucky
Kali Christian, Tumbler/Main Base, Bremerton, Wash., Bremerton H.S.
Madison Cook, Tumbler/Back Spot/Side Base, Cheswick, Pa., Fox Chapel Area H.S.
Samantha Corrigan, Back Spot, Athens, Ohio, Athens H.S.
Lexi Gillman, Back Spot, Chapmanville, W.Va., Logan H.S.
Alyssa Gomez, Flyer, Chula Vista, Calif., EastLake H.S.
Bree Henderson, Back Spot/Main Base/Side Base, Lombard, Ill., Acellus Academy
Alyssa Jacobs, Main Base, Oakley, Calif., Freedom H.S.
Katherine LeRose, Main Base, Nitro, W.Va., Poca H.S.
Emerson Pefferman, Back Spot, Valencia, Pa., Mars Area H.S.
Madison Riebe, Tumbler/Flyer, New Lenox, Ill., Lincoln-Way Central H.S.
Taylor Wright, Tumbler/Side Base, Oakley, Calif., Freedom H.S.
Marshall STUNT – Class of 2027 Capsules
Daryn Bailey, Main Base/Mid-Layer, Allen Park, Mich., Allen Park H.S.
Daryn Bailey joins Marshall STUNT from Allen Park High School in Michigan, where she competed in competitive cheerleading. She helped Allen Park win three consecutive MHSAA Division II State Championships from 2024 through 2026.
Her accomplishments also include a 2026 district title, a regional championship, back-to-back Downriver League Championships, and an undefeated 12-0 season. Bailey brings a championship-winning background to the Herd.
Darby Braasch, Main Base, Litchfield, Ill., Univ. of Kentucky
Darby Braasch joins Marshall STUNT after spending a year at the University of Kentucky where she majored in Health Science.
Braasch brings a background in Olympic-style weightlifting and high school cheerleading, giving her experience in strength-based competition and cheerleading that brings a distinctive athletic foundation to the Herd.
Kali Christian, Tumbler/Main Base, Bremerton, Wash., Bremerton H.S.
Kali Christian joins Marshall STUNT from Bremerton High School in Washington, where she competed with the Bremerton Knights. She helped the program capture their third consecutive WIAA State Cheerleading Championship in 2026.
Before cheerleading, Christian trained in elite gymnastics, developing strength, flexibility, and body control. She brings championship experience and a versatile athletic background to the Herd.
Madison Cook, Tumbler/Back Spot/Side Base, Cheswick, Pa., Fox Chapel Area H.S.
Madison Cook joins Marshall STUNT from Fox Chapel Area High School in Pennsylvania and competes with the Pittsburgh Steelcats through Cheer Athletics Pittsburgh. A three-year veteran of the Steelcats program, she earned a 2024 Summit Championship.
Cook also has a gymnastics background and participates in track and field at Fox Chapel. She brings multi-sport athleticism and competitive cheerleading experience to the Herd.
Samantha Corrigan, Back Spot, Athens, Ohio, Athens H.S.
Samantha Corrigan joins Marshall STUNT from Athens High School in Ohio and competes in all-star cheerleading with Cheer Athletics Columbus.
Her accomplishments include the 2025 NCA All-Star National Championship and the 2024 and 2025 American Cheer Power Grand National Championships. Corrigan also earned third place at The Summit in 2025 and helped her team secure a bid to the 2025 Cheerleading Worlds.
She brings extensive national-level experience to the Herd.
Lexi Gillman, Back Spot, Chapmanville, W.Va., Logan H.S.
Lexi Gillman joins Marshall STUNT from Logan High School in West Virginia and competed in all-star cheerleading with Famous Super Stars. Her accomplishments include a 2024 State Championship, a 2024 Summit Championship, and a silver medal at the 2023 Cheerleading Worlds.
The Worlds Championship is the most prestigious national championship for the sport across the globe; boasting teams from 24 different countries. A backspot, Gillman brings high-level competitive experience and a strong foundation in stunting to the Herd.
Alyssa Gomez, Flyer, Chula Vista, Calif., EastLake H.S.
Alyssa 'Aly' Gomez joins Marshall STUNT from Chula Vista, California, with extensive competitive cheerleading experience at The California Allstars on Cali Glow. Gomez is a 2026 NCA champion, a two-time Summit Champion, and back-to-back World Champion.
The Worlds Championship is the most prestigious national championship for the sport across the globe; boasting teams from 24 different countries. Gomez brings elite-level competition experience and a championship-winning background to the Herd.
Bree Henderson, Back Spot/Main Base/Side Base, Lombard, Ill., Acellus Academy
Bree Henderson joins Marshall STUNT from Illinois with a background in competitive all-star cheerleading. She brings an extremely vast skill set in stunting by being a backspot, main and side base all at an elite level. She won the 2024 NCA All-Star National Championship and a 2024 Champion Spirit Group National Championship.
In December 2025, Henderson earned another first-place national competition finish while competing with Ice Radar. She brings national championship experience and competitive stunting skills to the Herd.
Alyssa Jacobs, Main Base, Oakley, Calif., Freedom H.S.
Alyssa Jacobs joins Marshall STUNT from Freedom High School in California, where she competed in varsity STUNT and trained with CA Allstars and Athletic Edge 18U. She earned the 2026 Bay Valley Athletic League MVP award and a 2026 California Girls STUNT Division II State Championship, along with Athletic Edge's Fall 2025 STUNT MVP honor.
Jacobs also won back-to-back NCA national titles in 2024 with Cali Senior Pink. Experienced in main and secondary positions, she brings award-winning STUNT and cheerleading experience to the Herd.
Katherine LeRose, Main Base, Nitro, W.Va., Poca H.S.
Katherine LeRose joins Marshall STUNT from Poca High School where she graduated in 2026. She is also a current student at Marshall University majoring in Elementary Education.
She helped her team win the 2024 WVSSAC Class A-AA State Championship and finish ninth in the Game Day division at the 2024 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship. Her team also recorded a 13th-place national finish in 2025 and won the Little Kanawha Conference Championship. Named a 2025 First Team All-LKC Class AA Cheerleader, LeRose brings state and national competition experience to the Herd.
Emerson Pefferman, Back Spot, Valencia, Pa., Mars Area, H.S.
Emerson Pefferman joins Marshall STUNT from Mars Area High School in Pennsylvania and competes with the Pittsburgh Steelcats through Cheer Athletics Pittsburgh.
Her accomplishments include a 2024 Summit Championship, a 2025 Cheer & Dance National Championship, and a 2026 Cheer LTD CANAM Grand National Championship. Pefferman plans to continue her academic and athletic career at Marshall bringing multiple national titles to the Herd.
Madison Riebe, Tumbler/Flyer, New Lenox, Ill., Lincoln-Way Central H.S.
Madison Riebe joins Marshall STUNT from Lincoln-Way Central High School in Illinois, where she competes as a varsity cheerleading flyer. Riebe earned NCA All-American honors in both 2025 and 2026.
Her team accomplishments include an ICCA State Championship, a fifth-place finish at the IHSA State Cheerleading Championships, and the 2025 Wildcat Cheer Showcase 3A championship. She brings competitive stunting experience and leadership to the Herd.
Taylor Wright, Tumbler/Side Base, Oakley, Calif., Freedom H.S.
Taylor Wright joins Marshall STUNT from Freedom High School in California, with competitive experience at CA Allstars and Athletic Edge Club STUNT. Her accomplishments include a 2026 California Girls STUNT Division II State Championship, third place at the 2025 NCS Championships, and third place at the 2022 Summit.
Wright also earned NCA All-Star National Championship honors and was recognized as a Scholar Athlete and Best Tumbler at her high school STUNT banquet. She brings a strong background in both cheerleading and STUNT to the Herd.For all the latest information about Marshall STUNT, follow @HerdSTUNT on Twitter and Instagram.
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