Twin Cheer Stars Alleges They Were Sexually Abused By Coach

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Twin cheerleader stars Hannah and Jessica Gerlacher filed a complaint on Monday alleging that a former coach sexually assaulted them for years from the age of 15.

The sisters, now 22, allege that Cheer Athletics coach Jason McCartney, which owns gyms in Texas, Florida and New York City, abused them under the guise of spotting or when an athlete is assisted during moves difficult. The Gerlachers allege that McCartney touched their breasts, crotches and butt, and pushed his erection against them as he worked out at gyms in the Austin area.

The Gerlachers, who are award-winning competitors turned coaches with more than 65,000 Instagram followers and a popular YouTube channel, also list Cheer Athletics and the US All-Star Cheer Federation as accused, accusing them of doing nothing when an anonymous complaint has arisen. been filed. filed against McCartney.

“The silence surrounding abusive coaches and the failures of gyms like Cheer Athletics and USASF to protect underage athletes must end,” Hannah and Jessica Gerlacher said in a joint statement. “We have grown in strength watching women in gymnastics speak out against abuse, and we are here to end a similar culture in the sport of cheerleaders. What they did to us, how it affected us, how we were treated is not right. We didn’t want to feel anything other than love for our sport, but now it’s combined with a feeling of disgust, not only for the way the Coach McCartney used us, but also the way every other grown-up let this happen, in a place where we were meant to feel safe.

In their lawsuit, the Gerlacher twins claim that McCartney also forced Hannah into the Cheer Athletics installation pro store room during team trials, an event where parents were specifically prohibited from being in attendance. the gymnasium, where he pressed her against the cupboards. McCartney had a hand on his neck, while his body was pushed against his.

Hannah was too scared to make noise as he touched her body, the lawsuit says.

Cheer Athletics and the USASF did not immediately respond to requests for comment. McCartney could not be reached. The Cheer Athletics Austin site, which lists McCartney as one of the franchise owners, also did not return a request for comment.

The allegations are the latest in a string of scandals to hit competitive cheerleaders, particularly when Netflixs star Jerry Harris was accused of producing child pornography and instigating a minor to engage in sexual activities. He was arrested after a lawsuit was filed in Texas accusing him of soliciting sex, sending sexually explicit messages and asking for nude photos of two 14-year-old twins who have said he was harassed in cheering contests.

At a press conference announcing the trial, attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel noted Cheer Athletics’ association with the Harris scandal, which is also the result of a damning USA Today investigation that revealed systemic failures in the name of the USASF to protect young competitors. Harris was backed by Cheer Athletics until his co-owners Angela Rogers severed ties with him amid the ongoing scandal.

The Gerlachers seek an unspecified amount in damages for physical pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity and mental anguish.

We love the sport of cheerleaders, said Hannah and Jessica Gerlacher in their statement. Now that we are role models in sport and train young athletes ourselves, we want better for children in sport in the future. “

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