By Steve Pawlyk
Published August 15, 2024
The 2024 Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) summer camps have wrapped up, leaving a trail of incredible performances, standout athletes, and team successes across the country. From coast to coast, teams of all levels showcased their skills, teamwork, and determination at these prestigious camps, earning accolades and preparing for a competitive season ahead. Today, let’s take a closer look at some of the teams and athletes that shined this summer.
Northside Varsity Cheer: Building Bonds and Breaking Barriers
Northside Varsity Cheer attended the UCA camp at East Carolina University from July 8-10, alongside 12 other schools. The team focused on enhancing their stunting, jumps, dances, and overall choreography. Five of their cheerleaders—senior captains Sierra Minor, Trinity O’Neal, and Addy Davenport, along with juniors Khloe Hewitt and Mackenzie Conoway—were selected as UCA All-Americans. Their success didn’t stop there—Northside also clinched first place in the Medium Varsity Division for cheer and crowd leading and received the prestigious “Tradition Award” for inspiring leadership on and off the field. This camp was not only a competition but a vital team-bonding experience that left the girls stronger and more confident.
ULM Cheerleading and Hawkline: Stepping Up to Nationals
ULM Cheerleading’s Hawkline made a powerful statement at the UCA/UDA camp at Southern Methodist University from July 19-21. Their relentless effort paid off as they earned blue ribbons across the board and were awarded the Most Improved title, securing a silver bid to Nationals in Daytona, Fla., in April 2025. Hawkline dancers Amelia Long and Haley Hoover also earned All-American honors. The camp marked a significant milestone in ULM’s growth, with all three spirit groups, including Ace the Warhawk, winning Most Improved awards—a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Minot North: Rising Stars in Varsity Cheer
Minot North’s cheer team, only in their second year as a varsity squad, made waves at the UCA camp on August 2-3. The team excelled in various workshops, earning a gold ribbon for their camp cheer routine and a superior squad trophy. Six members—Jaidyn White, Ashley Carr, Vreelyn Nygaard, Winter Getzlaff, Payton Stolba, and Alina Kibler—were named UCA All-Americans. This remarkable achievement highlights the talent and potential of this young team as they head into their first year cheering at home games in their own school.
Watseka Community High School: A Tradition of Excellence
Watseka Community High School’s varsity cheer squad attended UCA camp at Purdue University from June 18-21, where they brought home the camp championship trophy for their routine, which featured a dance with a building pyramid. The squad also earned two superior blue ribbons during the week. Three cheerleaders—Marisa Clark, Siara Sansone, and Summer Yarneau—were selected as All-Americans, and Clark and Sansone were invited to apply for the UCA staff. Watseka’s strong performance at camp is a testament to the squad’s talent and dedication, and they are poised to bring this momentum into the upcoming sports season.
Mainland High School: All-American Honors Abound
Mainland High School celebrated eight of its cheerleaders being named UCA All-Americans this summer. Among the honored athletes were G’lia Foster, Kelsi Jenkins, Amari Langford, Amyah Watlington, Aysia Thompson, Kamya Sampson, Terrianha Williams, and Aniyah Ray. These athletes now have the opportunity to perform at prestigious events across the globe, including parades in Philadelphia, Orlando, London, and Rome. Mainland’s success at UCA camp reflects their dedication to excellence and their role as ambassadors of cheerleading.
Butler County High School: Excelling in Competition
The Butler County High School (BCHS) cheerleading squad had a stellar showing at the UCA camp in July, where they earned first place in the cheer competition and took second in the camp routine. Their performance not only earned them trophies but also set the stage for a promising season ahead. BCHS cheerleaders, including standout athletes Sara Peyton Dospapas and Emily Clark, are proving themselves as formidable competitors in every arena they enter.
Coahoma Community College: Preparing for Greatness
Coahoma Community College (CCC) cheerleaders are gearing up for an exciting season after attending the UCA College Cheer and Dance Camp at the University of Alabama from July 18-21. This prestigious camp offered CCC cheerleaders the chance to learn from top-tier instructors, focusing on advanced techniques in stunting, tumbling, and performance. The experience has left the team well-prepared and motivated for the challenges of the upcoming academic year.
Rainier High School: Small But Mighty
Rainier High School cheerleaders brought home multiple accolades from the UCA camp at Great Wolf Lodge in Centralia, held from July 15-18. Competing against 14 other schools, Rainier earned first place in their camp routine and second place in the game-day routine. Additionally, four cheerleaders—Briella Davenport, Peyton Thomas, Marian Jackson, and Samantha Cohen-Olson—were selected as All-Americans. Despite being one of the smaller teams at the camp, Rainier’s cheerleaders demonstrated that size is no barrier to success. Thomas was especially thrilled to be selected as an All-American this year after initially hesitating to try out in 2023.
Bemidji High School: Consistent Excellence
Bemidji High School saw eight of its cheerleaders earn All-American honors at the UCA camp held from July 29-31. Among the recognized athletes were Abby Loebs, Kennedy Rasmus, Kaiahna Martell, Lola VanEngelenhoven, Taylor Joy, Natasha Chastek, Zaquia Williams, and Lauren White. Loebs, Rasmus, and Williams earned the distinction for a second time, showcasing their consistent excellence in the sport. Bemidji’s cheerleaders have consistently demonstrated their skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork, earning them opportunities to perform on global stages from Florida to Hawaii and even in Europe.
Graham High School: A Winning Team Spirit
Graham High School’s cheer squad made a statement at the UCA camp at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine from July 11-14. Six cheerleaders were named All-Americans, including senior Sara Peyton Dospapas, junior Emily Clark, and sophomores Ella Andrade, Aiyana Gideon, Emma Hamm, and Bayleigh McGee. Additionally, Dospapas was invited to try out for a UCA staff position next year following her graduation. Graham’s team also won multiple awards, including three spirit sticks and superior ribbons, and placed first in the Game Day Routine, earning them a bid to the UIL State Cheerleading event in January 2025.
Ingleside High School: Dominating the UCA Camp
Ingleside High School cheerleaders had a fantastic showing at the UCA camp at Moody Gardens in Galveston from July 28-31. Seven varsity cheerleaders—Paityn McCombs, Allison Howland, Aleeah Lopez, Haylie Perez, Vivian Davis, Giselle Hernandez, and Bailey Patton—were named All-Americans. The junior varsity squad also earned superior trophies and All-American recognition for juniors Shayleigh Williams, Leah Stearns, Cheyenne Witt, sophomore Lilly Cordova, and freshman Gabriella Castillo. Ingleside’s success at the camp is a reflection of their hard work and dedication, setting them up for a successful year ahead.
Rio Rancho High School: Masters of the Camp
Rio Rancho High School’s varsity cheer team found success at the UCA Masters Camp in Loveland, Colorado, from July 10-13. The team placed second in both cheer and stunt sequences and won first place in the camp routine. The squad also celebrated 10 All-American selections, including standout athletes Sean Barnes and Austin Erwin, and a male jump-off champion. With such a strong performance, Rio Rancho is ready to chase a state title in the upcoming season.
Rock Springs High School: Sixteen All-Americans and Counting
Rock Springs High School’s Tigers Cheer Team had an outstanding performance at the UCA camp, with 16 cheerleaders being named All-Americans. The honored athletes include Bridgette Taylor, Braylynn Greene, Nevaeh Anderson, Azalia Ruiz, Masen Werkele, Sean Barnes, Austin Erwin, Gavin Tongate, Brooke East, Alexus Bowles, Adyson Sellers, Aizlynn Abram, Aliza Ransom, Noelle Moser, Jensyn Cordova, and Ireland Lew. The team also received a superior rating, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication. Head Coach Dena Douchant expressed immense pride in her team’s accomplishments, which have set the stage for a successful season ahead.
Pike County Middle School: Young Stars on the Rise
Pike County Middle School cheerleaders proved their mettle at the UCA camp at Great Wolf Lodge, with six athletes—Kelsey Sirmon, Taryn Hancock, Jersey Wright, Carsyn Everitte, Ansley Boes, and Brooklyn Kneringer—earning All-American titles. Their outstanding performances have earned them the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade, a significant achievement for these young cheerleaders.
St. Mary’s and Fredericksburg Middle School: Preparing for the Season Ahead
Cheer teams from St. Mary’s and Fredericksburg Middle School joined forces at a UCA camp from May 30 to June 1, focusing on enhancing teamwork and performance skills. With summer training camps in full swing, these squads are gearing up for the competitive season ahead, ready to bring their best to the cheerleading stage.
As the summer camps come to a close, these remarkable teams and athletes have set the tone for a thrilling cheer season. Their hard work, dedication, and achievements at UCA camps nationwide highlight the spirit of cheer and the incredible talent within these squads. As they move into the 2024-25 season, we can expect to see these teams continue to excel and inspire on the sidelines and beyond.
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