SUPERSTAR STAFF
T.J. Banas
Head Coach
T.J. Banas, a Penn State University graduate and Owner of Superstar Athletics in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is a veteran coach with more than 15 years of experience in All Star and collegiate cheerleading.
He has competed and coached at the highest levels of the sport, earning a reputation for developing elite athletes who advance to college cheer programs, secure positions on Team USA, and even compete in the emerging pro cheer league.
T.J. is certified through AACCA and USASF up to Level 7 and holds CPR, First Aid, AED, Concussion, and Green Light certifications. His coaching career includes extensive national travel for clinics, camps, conferences, and major competitions.
Some signature accomplishments are being named to Cheer Daily’s and The Cheer Awards 40 Under 40 in both 2025 and 2026.
Under his leadership, Superstar Athletics has consistently finished seasons at the top of the podium, earning gold at U.S. Finals, The One Finals, The All Star World Championships, and the Bahama Royale in both 2022 and 2026. T.J. also earned gold in the coed partner stunt competition at the 2022 Bahama Royale. TJ has a passion for working with athletes of all ages and skill levels through camps, clinics, lessons, classes and teams. His mission is to help athletes reach their fullest potential while creating meaningful experiences and lifelong memories.
Kara Hickok
Cheer Coach
Kara is a Penn State graduate with a bachelors in Nutritional Sciences and a Masters degree in Public Health. She has been cheering since she was 6 years old and was on our first ever open team 5 years ago as well as being on our open team the past two seasons. Kara is USA Cheer Safety, Concussion and NFHS certified. She was on the State College High School Varsity team from 2010-2014, the Penn State Club Cheer team in 2016, and went to the Cheerleading Worlds in 2021. Kara has experience coaching Little Lions, Bulldogs, and choreographed for OLV cheer. Most recently, Kara won The 2022 Bahama Royale in Nassau, Bahamas, in the International Coed division.
Robyne Schall
Tumbling Director
Robyne Schall started her all-star cheerleading career at Superstar athletics 3 years ago. While on our open team she has received both at-large, and fully paid bids to the "Cheerleading Worlds." She was captain of her high school cheerleading squad in Derry, Pennsylvania. Before cheerleading Robyne was a competitive dancer and gymnast for 16 years where she competed at the national level. She has been coaching gymnastics and tumbling for the past 5 years. She is USAG certified in safety, risk management, and the fundamentals of gymnastics and tumbling.