Foothill Cheer Wins Awards for USA Regional Competition

Submitted by Cheryl Palange

All four of Foothill High School competition cheer teams qualified for USA Nationals Sunday at the USA Regional Competition held at James Logan High School in Union City.

Both Foothill show cheer squads also took first place in their divisions, as did the intermediate group stunt team. The advanced group stunt team took second place. The varsity show cheer-intermediate team competed against seven other Bay Area teams in their division, the junior varsity show cheer-novice team competed against five other teams and the intermediate group stunt team competed against two other teams.

"What a way to begin the season!" exclaimed Coach Kim DeJoy at the end of the day. "The goal was to qualify for nationals and place as well as possible but the girls exceeded that by a long shot."

This competition was the first in a series of six competitions in which the teams will compete during the next five months on their quest for back-to-back national titles when they return to USA Nationals in March 2013.

The teams will travel to Los Angeles mid-December to compete in the next USA Regional. You can support them on their journey by following them at www.facebook.com/FHSFalconCheer.

Varsity Show Cheer team includes: Amanda Arnold, Zoe Cristobal, Sarina DeJoy, Bailey Downum, Michelle French, Camille Hamlin, Alakoka Kailahi, Keri Kodama (captain), Amber Marquez, Emily Palange, Gabriella Scalise, and Natalie Wright.

JV Show Cheer team includes: Cassidee Banks, Kailyn Coleman, Mackenzie Curran, Mitsu Dill, Shauna Dunlap, Jenna Edsen, Karina Galvez, Morgan Greenup, Emma Loll, Maddy Maas, Sara Moore, Brie Morrissey, Erin Page, Jordan Robinson, Taylor Sanchez (captain), Anika Simons,Sabrina Stermer and Noelle Viscaina.

Advanced Group Stunt team includes: Zoe Cristobal, Bailey Downum, Michelle French, Gabriella Scalise, and Natalie Wright.

Intermediate Group Stunt team includes: Amanda Arnold, Sarina DeJoy, Alakoka Kailahi, Emily Palange, and Anika Simons.

The road to USA Nationals is 10 months long and takes an extremely high level of commitment from the cheerleaders and families. Foothill sports must fund 100% of their program costs, so Foothill competition cheer

is extremely grateful for the support of the many sponsors who are helping to defray expenses and get the teams to USA Nationals.

Corporate sponsors: 24 Hour Fitness, California Spirit Elite, Inc., Custom Designs & Sports, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Fresh Millions, Image Salon, Maas Brothers Powder Coating, Inc., Marleen Armstrong Insurance Agency, Olympic Orthodontics - Frederick L. Johnston DDS, Frank Guthrie DDS, Thompson Tom, DDS.

Friends and Family sponsors: Becky Dunn, Millie Dunn, Monte & Colleen Conway, Nana and Papa Souza, Ron Smith & Brent Haberman, The Moore Family, The Palange Family, Rick Storace, Birt & Kathleen Johnson, Jr., Don & Susanne Cary, Dr. Morris Lee, John & Rita Hartman, Judith Johnson, Larry and Barbara Kiefer, Richard and Beverly Roman, Tony & Julie Johnson, Barbara Faldmo, Birt & Preethi Johnson, Claudia Wells, Judy Kelso, Mary Ann and Randy LeQuieu, Mike Faldmo, Mulhern Family and Trina Johnson McCoy.