Utah Tech University Cheer and Stunt Team Take Home The Gold

The Utah Tech cheer and stunt team took home the gold at their annual national championship competition.

The newly crowned national champs took home a first-place finish in the band chant category against nine other teams and third in the show cheer category.

The team traveled to sunny California to compete in the United Spirit Associations competition in Anaheim. Teams from across the United State competed, resulting in over 1,000 athletes taking the floor. Utah Tech’s small coed team took two routines to the competition.

The competition was fierce and the team knew that competing with the hopes of a back-to-back title wouldn’t be easy. Often, teams feel double the pressure headed into a competition coming off a win, because they know other teams are gunning for their spots and judges can be more critical of routines.

After years of dedicating herself to Utah Tech cheer, senior and captain Katie Rillos was thrilled with her team’s performance.

“Being captain of such an amazing group of athletes has been the best experience and I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish,” Rillos said.

The team learned their routines in November and dedicated hours of their time to perfecting it while also maintaining status as full-time students and participating in other extracurriculars. All-in-all, the cheerleading team averages approximately 20 hours dedicated to cheer a week while they’re in season.

These super-athletes aren’t just found on the mat or the weightrooms - they’re in classrooms, working on-campus jobs, and cheering on our other athletes in arenas or stadiums.

“We worked so hard all season, and it was incredible to see the team come together to perform one last time,” Rillos said. 

The USA competition marked the last time the team would compete with one another, and for seniors, could mark the last time they step foot onto a mat. 

“After a full season of hard work culminated into one competition, it leaves you feeling so much gratitude for the team and their ability to come together,” said Rillos. “Being a part of this team and program has been one of the most valuable experiences of my life.”