Samantha Barton - Cheerleading Director

This is Sam’s fifth year with Lancaster Lightning Cheerleading. She served as coach during the 2008 season and team captain in 2007. In the off season, Sam cheers for Diamond Athletics- ONYX in Lancaster. Onyx returned from the 2011 US Finals in VA Beach as National Champions in the All Girl Level 6 division. At Gettysburg College, Sam cheered for three years and was captain her junior year. In high school, she coached for CV's Midget Cheerleading organization and was a Summer Camp Director for the program. Sam cheered for CV for 7 years, was captain of the varsity squad her senior year, and a two time NCA All-American Nominee.

Sam graduated from Gettysburg College with a BA in mathematics and philosophy and is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Sam is currently an Actuarial Analyst for a consulting firm in Lancaster.

Jillian Diffenbaugh - Cheerleading Assistant Director

This is Jillian’s first year with Lancaster Lightening. In the off season, Jillian, owner and coach of Diamond Athletics, cheers for her level 6 team, Onyx in Lancaster. Onyx returned from the 2011 US Finals in VA Beach as National Champions in the All Girl Level 6 division. Over the past 4 years she has been a part of teams whose awards include 2 first place National Championships and 7 other first place accomplishments. Jillian has a total of 9 years’ experience in cheerleading.

Following 2 years active duty service in the Army, Jillian attended and graduated from Elizabethtown College with a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. She is currently employed as the Chief Financial Officer of a Real Estate Company in Lancaster County.