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Cheer ends season on high note

By Lloyd Bravo

On February 16, 2020, the LBCC cheer team placed second in the large co-ed show cheer division at the United Spirit Association USA Collegiate College Championships at the Anaheim Convention Center. 

The Vikings earned a score of 86.72 after a two-day-long competition being bested only by Northeastern Oklahoma A&M who took first place with a score of 90.36.

Student Marlin Castillo is being hoisted up by spotters while performing a heel stretch during practice in Building R on the upper gym level on Feb. 25, 2020. The LBCC cheer team recently placed second in the United Spirit Association USA Collegiate Champonship. Photo by Lloyd Bravo.

“Strong competition breeds strong competitive spirit,” said Head Coach David Shaw, who has been with LBCC cheer since 2002 as a student player and eventually becoming a coach. “When we go to a larger stage, such as nationals, they give us a run for our money.”  

21-year-old business major Laina Gabrielle Isida said about her team’s performance, “Coming in second at Nationals is not bad and I am happy with the way things turned out this year. I am grateful to have such a great team.” 

The Vikings competed in early January before the USA Collegiate National Competition. The team participated in the US Spirit Leaders Regionals and the CheerPros State Competitions including competing for the Championship Cup, placing first in all three events.  

“It is a lot of hard work to be on this team. You cannot give up and have to commit,” said Ina Timbo, a 20-year-old Pre-Med student and spotter on the team. Timbo is responsible for hoisting, holding and catching the nimble flyers.  “You’re putting your body on the line, it’s not just cheering.”

Ronaldo Vicencio is the Assistant Cheer Coach who has been involved with cheer since 2009. “The goal is to compete in nationals at the National Cheer Association in Daytona, Florida,” Vicencio said, which has been a recurring thought among the team.

Due to a lack of funds and high cost, the Vikings have not been to the NCA National Championships since 2005 when Coach Shaw was the team captain. “The cost lies on the cheerleaders themselves which is expensive,” said the former captain. 

Head coach David Shaw (left) and student Tyler Mitchell (right) discuss backflip technique during practice in Building R on the upper level gym on Feb. 25, 2020. The LBCC cheer team recently placed second in the United Spirit Association USA Collegiate Champonship. Photo by Lloyd Bravo.

Vicencio added, “We pay for everything on our own, but we’re in college and still have to pay for books, rent, bills and other personal things.”

Kinesiology professor and cheer advisor Diana Galias has been with LBCC for 25 years and explained that the team will be looking into possible grants along with the traditional fundraising methods to help her students get to Daytona next year. 

“We are a fabulous school, but it’s just hard to afford extras including going to Florida which would mean great exposure for our team,” said Galias. 

Even though the cheer team has been struggling, Galias is grateful for all that the school has provided and feels that her team’s limitations have made them stronger. “The school has been more than generous and a huge help. We stretch out our funds and are still successful with what we have.”

The cheer team is currently done with their competitive season and will be back next semester for the start of the football season.

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