EPHS names O’Leary as new head dance team coach

Caitlin O’Leary is the new head dance team coach for Eden Prairie High School, replacing Jessica Howells, who recently resigned from the position.

The EPHS Athletic Department made the announcement in a Monday news release.

O’Leary has a strong connection to the Eden Prairie dance team, having served as an assistant coach for five years. She has over 20 years of dance experience, having started her training as a studio dancer.

As a member of the EPHS dance team, she competed at the state tournament four times and earned second place in kick during both her junior and senior years.

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Following her graduation from EPHS in 2012, O’Leary continued her dance career at the University of Denver, where she was a four-year member and three-year captain of the Denver Dance Team. For the past five years, she has coached at all levels of the EPHS team, including the B squad, JV, and varsity.

O’Leary holds a degree in mechanical engineering and is currently a project engineer at MTS Systems. She is also working on her MBA at the University of St. Thomas and is set to graduate in May.

As she looks forward to her sixth season coaching, O’Leary is excited to continue watching the team grow and develop. During her free time, she loves traveling and spending time with her fiancé Riley, her friends and family, and her golden retriever, Henry.

Russ Reetz, the associate principal of student activities at EPHS, expressed confidence in O’Leary’s ability to continue the dance program’s tradition of excellence.

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“Our dance program is in great hands,” Reetz said. “She is a compassionate leader who will focus on the growth and development of her athletes.”

O’Leary is also eager to take on the new role.

“I look forward to continuing the Eden Prairie Dance Team traditions while also challenging our team to grow and improve to be the best we can be,” she said.