BUILT TO LAST

By Kyle Baus

On the sport's biggest stage, the NCA College Cheer & Dance Championships, held annually in Daytona Florida,  Westcliff University Cheer didn't just meet expectations, they exceeded them in every way.

Facing the top collegiate programs in the country, the Warriors delivered a commanding performance to capture first place in the Advanced Large Coed Open Division, securing back-to-back national titles in Daytona. Their routine earned a record-setting 94.33, finishing a decisive seven points ahead of the next closest team, a margin that left little doubt about who owned the moment.

For a program in just its fifth season, it was the culmination of something much bigger than a single performance.

"This year has been a milestone season for our program," said Head Coach Eric Anderson. "I'm extremely proud of the growth I've seen across the board with our athletes, in their skills, their attitude, and the overall culture of our team."

Built From the Ground Up

As the most tenured head coach in Westcliff Athletics, Anderson has been at the center of it all, building the cheer program from its earliest days into a nationally recognized powerhouse.

What began as a new addition to the university's athletic department has quickly evolved into one of its most successful programs. Over the past two seasons, Westcliff Cheer has gone undefeated, stacking national titles and establishing a standard few programs reach, let alone sustain.

Their dominance extended well beyond Daytona.

At the USA Collegiate Championships, Westcliff delivered one of the strongest performances of the year, earning the title of Grand Champions with a score of 97.6, the highest mark across the entire competition. It marked their third consecutive championship at the event, further reinforcing their consistency at the highest level.

Cesar Rivas-Sandoval, Director of Westcliff Athletics, spoke on this development saying, "Watching the growth of this program under Coach Anderson's leadership has been one of the highlights of our athletic year. Our cheer team has shown remarkable grit and dynamic energy, proving that they are elite competitors on the national stage. The entire University and athletic department are incredibly proud of their achievements this season, and we are honored to have such dedicated ambassadors representing us."

Still, for Anderson, success is rooted in something deeper than results.

The Work Behind the Performance

Long before the lights, the music, and the final score, there is the work.

Westcliff athletes train relentlessly, four days a week for three-hour practices, supplemented by strength training sessions and additional time in open gyms. Many continue beyond scheduled practices, refining their tumbling or working in small stunt groups to perfect every detail.

That commitment shows up when it matters most.

"By staying focused on our goals and committing to each other, we were able to perform at a very high level throughout the season," Anderson said.

But physical preparation is only part of the equation. The identity of this team was built on something less visible, but just as important.

A Culture of Trust and Togetherness

Throughout the season, Anderson and his staff of assistant coaches emphasized a simple message: success would only come through unity.

"One of the lyrics in our music says it best," he said. "'Together we can do this, together we will rise.'"

That belief became a guiding principle for the team, shaping how they trained, competed, and supported one another.

The foundation was clear: trust the coaches, trust your teammates, and trust the process.

It was reinforced daily, not just in routines, but in the way athletes approached their responsibilities beyond the mat. Veteran leaders took ownership of the program, holding teammates accountable in the classroom, at practice, and in their everyday habits.

That accountability elevated the entire team.

A Team That Reflects the World Around It

Westcliff Cheer is as diverse as it is talented.

The roster brings together student-athletes from the local community, across the United States, and from around the world, including Colombia, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico. Different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together under one shared purpose.

Athletes like Lina Madrid and Oscar Perez have emerged as standout contributors, helping lead the team through high-pressure moments on the national stage. But their success, like the team's, is rooted in collective effort.

No individual performance stands above the group, only within it.

More Than a Championship Program

For Anderson, the mission has always extended beyond competition.

He views cheer, and athletics as a whole, as an extension of the educational experience. At Westcliff, student-athletes are challenged not only to perform, but to grow academically, personally, and professionally.  The same discipline that drives success on the mat is expected in the classroom. The same accountability to teammates applies to their future goals.

"We are incredibly proud of what we've accomplished," Anderson said. "But we're not done."

With another undefeated season, multiple national titles, and a defining performance in Daytona, Westcliff Cheer has firmly established itself among the nation's elite. But inside the program, the focus hasn't shifted. The goal remains the same: continue to grow, continue to improve, and reach an even higher level in the seasons ahead.

Because for Westcliff Cheer, success isn't just about winning, it's about building something that lasts.