The 2021-2022 Topper Cheer Team, back row from left, Coach Megan Parton, freshmen Andrea Alarid, Ashley Casados and Lucia Chacon, juniors Megan Martinez, Gabriella Gonzales, Elizabeth Tafoya and Betty Kang and Coach Lauren Sandoval. Center row from left, seniors Haileigh Walkoviak, Janey Michel, Hannah Jameson, Savanna Martin and Mirabella Guerin. Front row from left, Head cheerleaders and seniors Aliana Montoya and Emily Cox. Courtesy photo

SPORTS News:

The Los Alamos High School Varsity Topper Cheer Team attended an overnight UCA (Universal Cheer Association) Cheer Camp July 21-24 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

The camp focused on skill progression (teams learned exciting and crowd effective sidelines, cheers and band chants – cheer dances to music – to become the ultimate crowd leaders at school), updated partner stunt and pyramid curriculum with new transitions, inversions and dismounts, leadership training, team bonding and much more.

Championships were held the final day of camp. The Topper Cheer team competed in the traditional cheer division and placed:

1st in the Camp Routine (which is an eleven 8-count performance customized to the squad’s unique strengths and abilities);
2nd in the Game Day Routine (a compilation of cheers, chants, stunting);
2nd in Sideline Cheer; and
2nd in Cheer.

Topper Cheer team with their championship trophies. Courtesy photo

Individual team members can try out on the third day in front of the whole camp, in groups of 4, for the honor of being named a UCA All-American. Skills judged during try outs include jump of choice, the All-American Cheer, and performing the Camp Routine Dance. Becoming UCA All-American means cheerleaders demonstrate the appropriate skills of cheerleading with enthusiasm, sharp motions, dance, cheer, facial expression and jumps. Courtesy photo