Warriors Lift Trophy at USA Collegiate Championships, Eye Nationals Next

By Francisco Claudio

 

They just keep getting better and better.

 

The Westcliff Cheer program has consistently achieved new heights over the past few years, setting a new standard for excellence.

 

Last month the team made its debut at the USA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships held in Anaheim, California.

 

And to the surprise of no one, the Warriors walked away with another trophy as they were crowned the 2024 Champions of the Large Co-Ed Show Cheer category.

 

The USA Collegiate Championships have been around since 1997 and bring together community colleges and 4-year institutions from everywhere in the United States and abroad.

 

The schools compete throughout the weekend in cheer, dance, and mascoting with almost 1,000 collegiate athletes competing in nearly 15 divisions. 

 

The event is the largest college competition on the West Coast which included many schools from California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, and Montana.

 

The new environment posed a challenge for the Warriors, but their experienced head coach Eric Anderson was confident in their thorough preparation.

 

"It was my first expectation to compete and see how we match up against the West Coast Division 1 teams and use this as a preparation for Nationals coming in April," Anderson said. "I know the talent and ability of the team so my expectation became to win because I knew we had a chance."

 

Adapting was a key component for the team as injuries became a factor leading up to the event.

 

"This competition was a tough one because we had some injuries with key people and as late as the night before we had to make some major changes to the routine," Anderson said. "It was very stressful on the team members and the coaches. 

 

"We even had to have some extra practices at the event."

 

There were so many teams competing that the Warriors had to compete at 1:15 p.m. and then again at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday.

 

The finals took place on Sunday at 3 p.m. which gave the team little time to recover from the prior day.

 

"It was a long weekend but the team was very tough and focused and came out on top," Anderson said. "We all were exhausted but I am very proud of the team. I feel like now that our name is out there it is getting easier to recruit so I can get more talent here which is translating to us getting better. 

 

"In addition to that, our returners are setting a standard and creating a hard-working culture which is having a positive impact on the improvement of our overall program."

 

The entire team was hoping to use this experience as a benchmark for what's to come next as they prepare for Nationals.

 

While the USA Collegiate Championships was a local event, the NCA Cheer and Dance College Nationals event is another beast.

 

There you have to qualify and Westcliff will compete in the NAIA Large Coed Advance Division where all the states are represented.

 

"I feel like this win is a good marker for where we need to be," Anderson said. "Nationals are going to be more competitive so we know we need to get better. 

 

"I feel like this win was a team effort. Everyone was taken out of their comfort zone and had to step up."

 

The Nationals will take place from April 11th to 13th in Daytona, Florida.

 

The Warriors will look to use this local win and carry the momentum over as they try to defend their National title.