STANDARD SET

By Brandon Petersen

Westcliff University Cheer once again asserted itself on the national stage as Oscar Perez and Lina Madrid finished fifth in the nation in the Partner Stunt division at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Nationals Cheerleading Championships, held January 16–18 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

The championship, sponsored by UCA and televised nationally on ESPN, brings together the top collegiate cheer programs in the country — the sport's most elite stage.

Competing primarily against established Division I powerhouses, Perez and Madrid delivered a composed, high-level performance that placed them among the very best partner stunt athletes in the United States.

For Westcliff, an NAIA program that continues to defy traditional hierarchies in collegiate cheer, the result was both a milestone and a statement.

"We are extremely proud of Oscar Perez and Lina Madrid for their fifth-place finish at one of the most prestigious collegiate cheerleading events in the country," said head coach Eric Anderson. "This result is a tremendous accomplishment for Westcliff University Cheer, an NAIA program competing head-to-head against top Division I programs nationwide."

The finish further solidifies Westcliff's standing as one of the most successful cheer programs in the nation, regardless of division.

The Warriors are the defending NCA national champions and have now captured two national titles in the last three years, a run that has firmly established the program as a national benchmark for excellence.

"This performance is a huge milestone for our program and a powerful statement about the caliber, competitiveness, and national relevance of Westcliff University Cheer," Anderson said. "It showcases to the entire country the level of talent, preparation, and excellence we have built here."

Perez and Madrid's success is no overnight story. According to Anderson, both athletes have spent years investing in their craft, training beyond scheduled practices and committing themselves fully to strength, conditioning, and technical refinement.

"Oscar and Lina are extremely goal-oriented and driven athletes," Anderson said. "Both have invested countless hours outside of scheduled practices, consistently training in the weight room and attending open gym workouts to reach this level of performance."

When Anderson first recruited Perez, the vision was already clear.

"He told me one of his goals was to compete at UCA College Nationals with Lina, hit their routine, and challenge — and beat — some of the top programs in the country," Anderson said. "Watching that goal become a reality has been incredibly rewarding and is a testament to their work ethic, commitment, and belief in themselves."

The impact of the performance has already extended beyond the competition floor. Since UCA Nationals concluded, Perez and Madrid have begun receiving professional team offers, a reflection of both their individual talent and the platform Westcliff's program now provides on the national stage.

For Anderson, results like this continue to fuel the program's recruiting momentum.

"Our program is still very new, having only been in existence for six years," he said. "Each time we have a strong showing at major competitions, it highlights the growth, credibility, and strength of what we are building at Westcliff. Success is one of the most powerful recruiting tools."

And the season is far from over.

Perez and Madrid will next compete together at the United Spirit Association Collegiate Championships, scheduled for February 21–22 at the Anaheim Convention Center, where they and the team will enter as defending champions.

Following that, Westcliff will shift its focus to the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida, April 9–12, once again competing as the reigning national champion.

As Westcliff Cheer continues to reload rather than rebuild, performances like Perez and Madrid's at UCA Nationals serve as yet another reminder: this is no longer a rising program — it is a standard-setting one.