Team attending annual Daytona Cheer Competition
While 20 years have passed since the Javelina cheer team has gone to compete on a national level, they are back for redemption for missing out over the years.
The Javelinas have been given the opportunity to showcase their skills and will be traveling to compete at the 2023 NCA Daytona Beach Classics (DI/DII) happening on April 4, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“We’re really working hard trying to get our name out there so people can see us more…and look at us more as a sport. We really work our butts off every day, so we just want people to look at us and know we’re trying our best,” Cheer Captain Rianna Pena said.
The team has been practicing four times a week adding onto their additional schedule to make sure everyone is competition ready.
“We feel really grateful. I actually haven’t gotten the opportunity to compete in Daytona and I know a lot of the girls on the team haven’t either so we’re all really excited. We’re the first team to go in about 20 years so I’m really excited and I hope that we can do well and win,” Co-Captain Anyssa Flores said.
The Javelinas will be holding a showcase on campus at 6:30 p.m. on March 26 at the Rec Center for everyone to see the routine they have prepared for the Daytona competition.
“It’ll be our whole routine from start to finish. We’ll have uniforms, hair done, the boys will have their uniforms, we’ll have Porky out there fully suited up. It’s going to be exciting to see what we bring to the table,” Gameday Captain Alexandra Gonzalez said. “It’s going to be our first full out with makeup, hair, and bows…everything to the T.”
Although the road has been long for the Javelinas they are ready to represent for Javelina nation and come back with a title.
“This year we have really upped our game skillset wise. In the past tumbling was not a requirement for our team, but most of our team has skills that are better than that, so now that we have the opportunity to go to Daytona to showcase our skills on a national level, we’re ready to show the nation what we can do,” Head Cheer Coach Molly Roach said.
