NCA Camp a Success, Cheer Receives 4 All Americans
August 13, 2023
By Francisco Claudio
It never ceases to amaze me what the cheer team is able to do in their routines. All the flips, twists, stunts, and anti-gravity-defying acrobatic moves have the audience at the edge of their seats which, by the way, led to a national title just a few months ago.
Now, the Westcliff Cheer team was back at it again as they participated in the 2023 NCA Camp that was held at the end of July.
And it was another successful outcome as the program received many accolades including honoring four members as All Americans.
Head Coach Eric Anderson was happy and proud of the results from the camp: "The camp was great, we learned a lot of new skills and got to meet athletes from other universities in the Western Region. The athletes were able to learn some new things about leadership and being ambassadors of the university and we got to go up against some of the top cheer programs in the country."
The four All Americans were Nicolas Pulido, Alejandro Díaz, Rheanna Shah, and Christian Manzo.
"All four are amazing athletes," Anderson said. "Each had to execute compulsory elite skills in cheerleading, which consist of jumping, standing tumbling, running tumbling, and partner stunting."
Nicolas Pulido (Two-time All American) - "I think he is the first Athlete at Westcliff to do this. He is very talented and passionate about the sport of cheerleading. Former Colombian National Team Member. He is also a natural leader and perfectionist. He is also a very hard worker."
Alejandro Diaz - "Diaz is an amazing tumbler with very strong technique. He is also a former Colombian National Team member. He is a very positive person and team player."
Rheanna Shah - "Shah is one of our most talented young women on the team. I strongly felt she would have been an All American last year but right before camp she got Covid and was not able to attend. She is very competitive and is always striving to be better."
Christian Manzo - "Manzo is a newcomer to the team. He is a very strong stunter. I think he is the best in the NAIA. He is a very fun guy, has a good attitude, and works hard."
This year the Warriors brought two teams to the camp, a Large Coed Advance team and a Small Coed Advance team.
The Large Coed received superior ratings and placed first in-game day cheer and first in the rally routine.
The Small Coed also received a superior rating and placed second in-game day and rally routine.
"Both teams also won four spirit sticks which means we were hard-working, had good attitudes, and worked well with the instructors and others at camp," Anderson said. "Lastly both teams Large and Small Coed also received Silver Paids Bid to Nationals which means we not only qualified for the 2024 NCA College Nationals Championships but our trips will be partially paid for as well."
The Warriors have continued where they left off a couple of months ago and have started this new season determined for more.
"We had a lot of talent on the team last year and this year we recruited more," Anderson said. "After a year of training with Lyntrel and winning the 2023 College Nationals, I feel this year we were more prepared and more aware of what to expect and what was expected of us.
"I strongly felt we could have had a total of six All Americans this year but, I am very happy with four."