Varsity cheer team earns first in Ultimate Stunt Routine

Ramona High School’s varsity cheerleaders returned from an advanced stunt camp at Pepperdine University with first place in the Ultimate Stunt Routine.

Four RHS cheerleaders were selected Universal Cheerleader Association (UCA) All-American cheerleaders and received invitations to perform in London, England, in the New Year’s Parade, and 2011-12 team captains Ali Iraheta and Karis Brunner were invited to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Heather Howard, head coach for the Ramona High School varsity cheer program, has been building the program for the past six years, and the school this year has a complete competition squad with advanced tumbling skills.

Howard’s goal was to build a team that could compete at what is considered the toughest national competition in Orlando, Fla. The RHS varsity squad thus far has competed in the noteworthy competition in Anaheim, Calif., and is looking forward to competing in Orlando.

Howard has increased the level of training to include rigorous conditioning with the help of volunteer certified personal trainer Sheryl Cooper, a professional summer camp, additional summer practices, more intense choreography and the addition of two volunteers from the nationally ranked San Diego State University cheer team, Sierra Madden and Dakota Sanders.

The Ramona team participated in the advanced stunt camp conducted by the Universal Cheerleader Association at Pepperdine University on July 29-31.

Nationals are in February and the 2011-12 varsity cheer team is working to become strong, sharp and ready to represent RHS and the town of Ramona in Orlando, said Howard.

Each coach could select six cheerleaders to try out to be a UCA All-American cheerleader. The competition included performing a UCA dance and a UCA cheer, and they also executed one jump of their choice. RHS cheerleaders selected UCA All-American cheerleaders are Sierra Cooper, Kaitlyn Osborne, Karis Brunner and Ali Iraheta.