Kentucky STUNT Names Payton McHugh Assistant Coach

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky STUNT head coach Blair Bergmann has announced that Payton McHugh has joined the program as an assistant coach.

McHugh was a member of the STUNT team at Davenport University from 2022-25. She and her team won two national championships during her career.

A native of Temperance, Michigan, McHugh was a two-time team captain for the Panthers, who won four consecutive Great Midwest Athletic Conference titles during her career. McHugh was also a member of the Davenport cheerleading squad, which won three national titles during her four-year career.

“Our program is excited to welcome Payton on board,” Bergmann said. “Payton’s exceptional accomplishments in the sport, paired with her hard-working nature, will help Kentucky STUNT continue to move forward.”

McHugh is excited to join the UK STUNT program.

“I am incredibly honored to be working with the UK STUNT team,” McHugh said. “I look forward to teaching the sport of STUNT and making all of our players better. Also, the opportunity to work with Coach Blair and Coach Cat (Catherine Ruslavage) is an honor and something I’m eager to begin.”

Kentucky finished the 2026 season with a 31-4 record and a national runner-up showing.