NEXT LEVEL

By Brandon Petersen

At Westcliff, the standard doesn't stop at winning.

It keeps going.

It evolves, it expands — and now, it's reaching the professional level.

For Lina Madrid, Oscar Perez, and Itzel Sanromán Santana, that next step is no longer a dream. It's reality.

All three athletes have been drafted to the California Grit Pro Cheer Team, part of a new professional cheer league that is quickly drawing some of the best talent in the country. And in doing so, they've carried Westcliff with them — not just as representatives, but as proof of what the program has become.

Because this didn't happen by accident.

It was built.

A STANDARD THAT TRAVELS

Under head coach Eric Anderson, Westcliff Cheer has spent years establishing itself as one of the most consistent and competitive programs in the country. National titles, elite finishes, and high-level performances have become expected.

But this moment is different.

This is no longer just about competing with the best.

This is about becoming them.

"As our program continues to gain national visibility," Anderson said, "these athletes represent the standard of excellence we are building — a combination of work ethic, discipline, and elite performance."

That standard is now producing professionals.

And Westcliff stands alone in California in doing so.

Among universities with athletes drafted into the league are traditional powerhouses like Weber State, Texas Tech, Morehead State, Navarro College, and the University of Kentucky.

Westcliff has belonged in that conversation for years now.

BUILT THROUGH WORK

For Oscar Perez and Lina Madrid, the journey to this moment has been defined by relentless commitment.

Outside of the program's 12 hours of weekly team practice, the duo consistently added extra training — refining the details that separate good from elite.

"Oscar and Lina dedicate an additional three hours each week to partner stunt training," Anderson said. "Their commitment and discipline are what set them apart."

That work paid off.

Together, they finished Top 5 in the nation at the UCA College Nationals — the premier partner stunt competition in the United States — a result that brought national attention and ultimately opened the door to the professional stage.

For Oscar, the progression feels like the natural continuation of a life spent in the sport.

"I've been cheer for like 16 years," he said. "I basically do cheer like five or six hours and I'm working outside too. I do gym workouts too. Especially because I'm focusing on partner stunt. I have to work extra to be able to hit my routines."

Now, that work has turned into something more.

"Yeah, we're doing extra practices, but the good thing is now we're pros," he said. "That's really, really nice – you're getting paid for something that you love to do. I think that's the dream for everybody that is being an athlete."

TRUST, PARTNERSHIP, AND BELONGING

What makes Lina and Oscar special isn't just their strength or technique.

It's their connection.

"I think the commitment, because this is a sport that we have to trust each other," Oscar said. "We can't work as individuals. We have to work collectively."

That trust has carried them from Westcliff to the national stage — and now into the professional ranks.

For Lina, the moment is as simple as it is powerful.

"This experience is really very important for me," she said. "The team is a professional team, the athletes are the best of the country. And I am one. I am part of this."

She later added that the experience fills her with pride — a reflection of how far she has come, and the level she now belongs to.

A NEW WAVE

Shortly after Lina and Oscar were drafted, Itzel Sanromán Santana joined them on the California Grit roster — further cementing Westcliff's presence at the professional level.

According to Anderson, she represents the full evolution of the modern cheer athlete.

"I believe she is one of the strongest female cheerleaders in the country," he said. "Her combination of strength, technique, and versatility allows her to perform skills that even many male athletes cannot."

Itzel's impact goes beyond performance.

A 4.0 GPA MBA student, she embodies the complete student-athlete — excelling both academically and athletically while stepping into a professional role.

MORE THAN A MOMENT

The California Grit currently sit near the top of the league standings, with Oscar already making an immediate impact — including setting a league record with 46 reps in the TikTok Kewpie strength competition, a demanding one-arm overhead transfer event that tests both control and endurance.

But the bigger story isn't just what's happening now.

It's what it represents.

Westcliff Cheer is no longer just producing champions.

It's producing professionals.

Athletes who don't just compete on the biggest stages — but continue beyond them.

Athletes who don't just meet the standard — but carry it forward.

And for a program that once had to prove it belonged, the message is now clear:

Westcliff isn't chasing the top anymore.

It's sending athletes there.