For the second year in a row, two stunt teams from the cheerleading team at California Baptist University have qualified for the National Cheerleaders Association College National Championship.
The national championship will take place April 5-7 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Tami Fleming, head coach of cheerleading, said it felt great to qualify two stunt teams for the national championship.
“Last year was the first year we qualified two stunt teams,” Fleming said. “In years past, we only qualified one group. This year, we submitted four groups for nationals — that’s the most groups we’ve ever submitted, so to have two groups qualify is exciting.”
Fleming also said she expects the cheerleaders to do well in the championship.
“One of our groups has three women who won the group stunt competition last year,” Fleming said. “They have brought in a new back spot for our group.”
Fleming also mentioned her goals for the national championship.
“My goal is always for them to hit a zero-deduction routine,” Fleming said. “We just want to go out and give the best performance we can.”
Evynn Richard, junior kinesiology major and base, said it felt great to be qualified for the national championship.
“Last year was my first year ever doing group stunt. We were nervous to see where we placed this year,” Richard said. “We are happy about where we are in qualifying and going to nationals.”
Richard also said the expectations of how the team will perform in the national championship are hard to predict.
“Last year, we just wanted to get top-five, but ended up winning the championship,” Richard said. “The goal is always to get first, but if we’re really aiming for something, it is always top-five (in the competition).”
Jordan Arrington, senior kinesiology major and back, said she is excited to have two stunt groups qualify for the national championships again.
“It’s cool to have two groups qualify again,” Arrington said.
Dazmyn Dull, senior kinesiology major and base, also said it is exciting to have two groups qualify again.
“We’re able to support each other and go through the process together,” Dull said.
Taylor Contratto, junior exercise science major and flyer, said her goal is to place highly in the championship.
“I would like to place in the top-three again like last year,” Contratto said.
Kacie Gonzales, sophomore pre-nursing major and flyer, said her goal for the Lancers is to hit a zero-deduction routine and also place in the top-three again.
“We want to repeat our placing in the top-three like we did last year,” Gonzales said.
Dull also said she expects for her and the rest of both squads to do well in the championship.
“Both of our groups are super capable of hitting zero-deduction routines,” Dull said. “Looking at our competition and how we did last year, we can both place well.”
Arrington added, “Both groups have to put in extra time besides practices that we already have to be at, so that will prepare us more.”
With these two stunt groups, cheer will be looking to win their fifth national championship in a row come early April.
