Earlier this year in March the cheer team took home the national title, showcasing the reward that head coach Diana Gailas-Chavez first led the charge to 25 years ago in the dean’s office when she voiced a new direction for the cheer team to open up and reach nationals.
“There were only 13 girls who didn’t know how to stunt, tumble or have any sense for competitive cheer,” Gailas-Chavez said, remembering the first cheer team she had coached here on campus.
She strived to make nationals, leading with determination and hard work. Following her ideals, “Immediate change was shown with co-ed, the first year with boys and girls was challenging but rewarding,” she said.
Former alumni and assistant coach, Louis Gonzales has been a cheer advisor since 2003, this being the first time he is returning to LBCC since 2005. On his return, he says having been a coach within competitive competitions he aids the team to reach a standard other competitions look for.
This year itself has been a tricky one shifting from being purely online to back in person following the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the cheer captains Ina-Marie Timbo shared her shift from online to in person stating, “It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be considering you cheer with a team and most of us were by ourselves with just a computer for a year. Planning ahead and following the zoom practices were big benefits.”
Fellow cheer captains Melony Morales and Sydney Paris have been on the cheer team for three years, returning this semester as captains has been an adjustment but exciting.
“It is a lot better in person, we’re able to do more and help out the team right away.” Morales said.
As one of the captains, Paris likes to lead by example from her coaches. “Being comfortable in situations and being a voice with the students are some of the things I take pride in being a captain,” she said.
Together they welcome all who share interest in the sport as well as push for the team to be as one.
When asked how they felt about the stereotypes labeled on cheerleading being a ‘girly, easy thing to do’ it was met with laughs and disagreements.
“The whole point is to make it look easy,” Paris said.
The practices are hours long and held multiple days out of the week, “It’s a very inclusive and committed sport, I’ve dislocated my shoulder 15 times being on the team!” Morales said.
The practices are leading up to nationals and state competitions, “Already as we speak we are getting ready for competition season,” Gailas-Chavez said. The competitions start at the beginning of December and finish late January.
The final goal for the semester would be traveling to Florida to make a return at the national championships, hopefully securing another win for the school.