How It Started
Let’s set the tone. It’s January 2020. Pre-Pandemic. Cheer premiered on Netflix. I just became a high school cheer coach for a competition team.
I received an email from a Netflix producer who says he is looking at the Charleston area to start a second season of Cheer with a high school team focus. I lost it. I shared the news with everyone I could about the exciting opportunity and continued to email with the producer into the afternoon. I eventually received a document from the producer, opened it, and saw a photo of my now-husband’s face, with a “I got you!” smirk.
The email he created was topcheertalent@gmail.com
I cried, but that is the birth of the name… TOP CHEER TALENT.
Why It Started
As a former high school coach, I was tired of small budgets and limited practice space.
As a former college cheerleader on cheerleading scholarship, I want to grow the sport and recognize cheerleaders as athletes.
As a former high school cheerleader, I did not realize the opportunities cheerleading would provide for me.
As a college coach, I want to encourage young athletes to pursue their passions, develop leadership skills, and cheer them on for their journey ahead.
Meet Coach Dunc!
2022 Forty Under 40 Honoree, Owner of Top Cheer Talent (Cheer Training Program), Cheer Coach with 10+ Years of Experience
Early Cheer Beginnings
Coach Theresa Duncan, better known as “Coach Dunc,” discovered cheerleading as a child while living in Okinawa, Japan. She joined the Kadena Air Force Base Recreational League and instantly fell in love with the sport—even if her first bows and shoes weren’t quite right. Cheer quickly became her passion. Go Steelers!
Growing Up in Georgia
When her father retired from the U.S. Air Force, her family relocated to Bowdon, Georgia. Transitioning from an international base to a small rural town near the Alabama state line was a major culture shift. Cheerleading, however, provided a sense of belonging. Through Jonesville Middle School Cheer, she gained lasting friendships, school spirit, and her first taste of competitive cheer. Go Jaguars!
High School Achievements
At Bowdon High School, Coach Dunc earned a spot on the Varsity Cheer Team all four years and eventually became captain. She even bartered tutoring services for backyard tumbling lessons, showing her drive to grow as an athlete. One highlight of her career came senior year, when she landed a standing tuck in a routine that helped her team defeat hometown rivals. In 2008, she graduated as valedictorian—still believing her cheer days were over. Go Big Red!
College Success at Shorter University
That changed when a former teacher encouraged her to try out at Shorter University, a private Christian college in Rome, Georgia. The 2008–2009 season marked the program’s first year of competition. With Coach Dunc on the team, Shorter went on to earn five national titles, and she was part of four of those championship wins. Alongside her cheer accomplishments, she also earned a B.S. in Biology. Go Hawks!
Coaching & Beyond
After graduation, Coach Dunc began her teaching career while also coaching cheer. Over the years, she balanced classrooms, sidelines, and competitions, always committed to helping athletes thrive. Following the challenges of the global pandemic, she took time to travel the United States in an RV, broadening her perspective and leadership skills.
Cheerleading in Charleston, SC
In February 2022, Coach Dunc settled in Charleston, South Carolina. She now serves as the Head Cheer Coach at Charleston Southern University while leading Top Cheer Talent, a cheer gym in Charleston SC dedicated to helping athletes level up their skills, confidence, and leadership. Through her program, Coach Dunc encourages young athletes to pursue their passions and embrace the journey ahead. Go Bucs!
Ready to start your cheer journey?
Visit the get started page to sign up for your first class!
