“Hearing our name as National Champs was so surreal and absolutely overwhelming,” sophomore Medea Romero said about the cheer team’s NCA title win.
The competition cheer team, led by cheer coach Kevin Rhoden, won the first NCA title for Brandeis at the competition in Dallas on January 22. They placed first, above five other teams, and were named National Champions in the Intermediate Open Division.
“I’ve been doing this for seven years now, and to finally win feels great,” Rhoden said.
Rhoden knows the sport requires an abundance of teamwork and dedication.
“This is definitely the hardest working team I’ve ever had,” Rhoden said. “Just the ‘never quit’ attitude, constantly wanting to improve, and taking it upon themselves to get better.”
Senior and captain Adilyn George has been on the team since her sophomore year.
“It means a lot to me because I’ve been working hard for three years,” George said. “Being able to bring my team to be National Champions is amazing.”
Being on this team has taught George the true meaning of the sport.
“It’s not just an individual thing; you have to work together and push yourself for your team,” George said.
Senior and co-captain Jessica Villarreal shares what it was like to be a part of the team.
“Everyone was super motivating,” Villarreal said. “I think not just our hard work but our motivation for each other got us to win; having that support made a big difference.”