Foothill High Cheer Makes it to Finals at National Championships

The Foothill High School competition cheer squads returned from Southern California proud of their success at the United Spirit Association's (USA) High School Spirit Nationals competition held March 28-30 at the Anaheim Convention Center. 

Both teams returning from back to back National Championships the last two years, challenged themselves by moving up to compete in a higher division. The Varsity and JV teams had their work cut out for them knowing the competition would be fierce and commitment necessary in order to qualify and compete at nationals.

The competitive cheer season lasts a grueling 10 months, starting in May and continuing through nationals in March. The Falcons traveled more than 3,100 miles this year to compete successfully at five regional/state competitions where they honed their skills and collected an impressive array of awards on the road to nationals.  

Junior Varsity Show Cheer Foothill's junior varsity team competed Saturday afternoon in the large JV show cheer intermediate division preliminaries, securing a spot to advance to finals.

The preliminary field included 11 teams with the top four advancing to finals. The team once again performed a near flawless routine on Sunday at finals, bringing home the third-place trophy. 

"We knew we had our work cut out for us when we moved up to a more difficult division,” said Coach Jeffries. “The girls had to push themselves and work hard to perfect every skill. It didn't come easy but the end result at Nationals was amazing! We are so proud of them and what they accomplished this season." 

JV show cheer includes Cassidee Banks, Kailyn Coleman, Heather Collins, Kate Crawford, Michelle Cyr, Jenna Edsen, Karina Galvez, Kiley Grundstrom Anna Hendrickson, Gina Hoecker, Emila Janda, Kelly Jefferies, Emma Loll, Maddy Maas, Carly Marceau, Grace McKeag, Kya Millerstrom, Sara Moore (captain), Katie Reding, Allie Sanchez, and Noelle Viscaina. 

Varsity Show Cheer Foothill's varsity team competed Saturday morning in the small varsity show cheer advanced division preliminaries, while having a few slips in their routine the team earned enough points to advance to finals. The preliminary field included 15 of some of the nation’s top teams with only seven advancing to finals.

The feisty Falcon team gave a solid performance Sunday at finals to earn the fifth-place trophy. 

“I'm extremely proud of this team for accepting the challenge to compete in the most difficult division, advanced,” said Coach DeJoy.  “7 of the 12 girls are new to the varsity team this year so to move up in this division was a huge commitment.
This team practiced five days a week to work on and perfect advanced tumbling skills and stunts. Making finals was our goal. To place in the top five with the nation’s best, was the cherry on top!  I couldn't be more proud of these amazing athletes.”  

Varsity show cheer includes Amanda Arnold (captain), Kenzie Curran, Sarina DeJoy, Michelle French, Morgan Greenup, Morgan Leone, Amber Marquez, Brie Morrissey, Jordan Robinson, Taylor Sanchez, Anika Simons and Natalie Wright. The results for both cheer squads were celebrated with huge smiles and appreciation. Having two teams compete at a higher level, make it to finals and place in the top of their divisions is a huge accomplishment for Foothill Cheer. 

Show cheer includes spirit squads of six to 36 athletes performing dance, cheer, tumbling and stunts set to music for up to 2.5 minutes. Points are awarded for choreography, execution, difficulty and showmanship. Regional and state competitions are scored based on a single performance.

The format for nationals is best of two performances with 30 percent of the points weighted on the preliminary performance and 70 percent on the final performance. Kim DeJoy is the head coach for Foothill's nationally-ranked cheer squads and the varsity squad.

She is assisted by Cheryl Holy, varsity choreographer Jasen Aldridge and JV squad coaches Nancy Jefferies, Megan Moore and Jenessa Dyke. 

The road to USA Nationals is 10 months long and takes an extremely high level of commitment from the cheerleaders and families. Foothill athletes must fund 100 percent of their program costs, so Foothill competition cheer is extremely grateful for the support of the many sponsors who helped to defray expenses and get the teams to USA Nationals.

We also thank the athletes and families who fundraised relentlessly for 10 months in support of the goal. Corporate sponsors: Valley Cheer and Dance, The Image Salon & Day Spa, Fresh Millions, Marleen Armstrong of Farmers Insurance, USJS Telecom, LLC, ARIA Technologies, INC., Brandman University, Fast Signs, Maas Brothers Powder Coating, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Custom Designs & Sports, Core Strength & Training, Ron Marquez, Jr., The New Home Company, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Mr. Pickles, Pleasanton, J&M Inc. Friends and Family sponsors: Aria McGuiness, The Moore Family, Nana & Papa Souza, Rich & Joan Jefferies, Ron Smith & Brent Haberman, Art & Cathy Dion, Bob Nunn, Judy & Jim Wafer, Don Cary, Craig & Judith Kelso, Claudia Wells, Colburn & Barbara Marceau 

—Information submitted by Foothill High Cheer