After months of routine changes, various injuries and multiple withdrawals from several competitions, NDB’s Varsity Cheer team placed first in three back-to-back USA competitions. The United Spirit Association, or USA, is a cheerleading organization that runs the majority of competitions that NDB attends.

The first win of the season was at the USA Virtual Spirit Regional I, which included a submitted video that was filmed on December 6, 2022. Both NDB’s Varsity Cheer and Pom teams placed first and received the plaque and ribbons in the mail.

The teams attended their first in-person competition of the season later that week. The USA Northern California Regional II was held at James Logan HS in Union City. Varsity Cheer hit their well-practiced routine at their first debut on stage. At awards, the team placed first place again, beginning their first place streak.

Following winter break, the team reconvened in early January to begin preparing for the USA Northern California Regional III. The competition was located in Antioch at Deer Valley HS on January 7. Coming off of break, the team pushed through and competed their solid routine for the judges. The team was awarded first place once again during the awards ceremony, continuing their first place streak.

Lauren Nobleza, senior Varsity Cheer Captain, commented on her thoughts on the winning streak and Nationals up ahead.

“I am feeling all the emotions with nationals later this month. I’m excited to perform our routine at Nationals because we have been doing really well at USA competitions. I am also sad because it’s going to be my last nationals and this one of the last big cheer events we have,” Nobleza shared. “The winning streak we had positively affected the team because it felt like all our hard work was paying off. We have had an extremely rough season and for us to have a winning streak all reminded us why we have been working so hard.”

With cheer being a year-round sport, their season is far from over with many more upcoming events, including the CIF State Championships and USA Spirit Nationals in late February. The Varsity Cheer team, along with Varsity Pom, will be flying down to Anaheim to attend the competition over intersession.

The Varsity Cheer team has been forced to overcome many struggles since the beginning of the season. The team has continued to stay strong and push through, as they have seen their hard work pay off in the USA winning streak.