Rookie Tsunami Cheer Squad Makes it to Finals in Las Vegas…and Wins!

North Coast Tsunami Cheer (NCTC) just completed a storybook first season that culminated in winning the Finals in Las Vegas!

The NCTC squad was formed last October in Fort Bragg, CA by Coach Shelle Hart who opened her first competitive year-round gym. “I found there were many girls who loved cheer but there were no opportunities to be a part of a competitive cheer program in the area. So, I decided to open a gym right here in Fort Bragg to provide that opportunity, and hopefully help them continue to college.”

The Tsunami squad is composed of 6-13 year old girls from throughout the North Coast region. While many had cheer experience with sideline cheer, only one of them had ever competed in competitive cheer before.

“It’s hard work, but Coach Hart makes it fun”, commented new cheerleader Evelyn Walker.

Despite their lack of experience, the new Level 1 squad went undefeated in every competition they attended, competing with teams from throughout California.  The team even stepped up to Level 2 mid-season.  And when they lost some kids to Spring sport teams, new kids stepped right up and did amazingly well. 

“We had one cheerleader who had never done any cheer before walk into the gym the week of our last regular competition,” said Hart. “I took her out for some one-on-one coaching, and she worked very hard to prepare.  She was amazing! Our small but mighty Adaline crushed it like no other. Her mom and I agree that she has found her sport.”

The surprising success of the team created the unexpected challenge of how to pay for a trip for sixteen girls to TheOne Finals in Las Vegas with only a few months to prepare.

“Even with the short amount of time we had, our athletes and their families were there for fundraising, practices and competitions,” said Fundraising Coordinator Christina Morrill. In addition to bake sales, rummage sales, and popcorn fundraising, the squad received support from Noyo River Grill, Mountain Mikes, Shriners, Skunk Train, Dark Gulch Environmental Consulting, It’s a Shore Thing, Good Morning Graphics, and more. 

Morrill continued, “I’m proud of our girls and their hard work.  We already have fun fundraising opportunities in the works for this summer and beyond.  We are going to be so prepared for an amazing season beginning in October.  Orlando, here come North Coast Tsunami Cheer!”

The competition final was held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.  It included teams from across the nation.  The Tsunami delivered a routine filled with dance, stunts, jumps, and fun in a way that was incredibly poised and impressive.  Hart said, “These girls are true competitors!  Our poor Violet even suffered an injury halfway through the routine and held it together with a smile on her face to the very end.  I am so proud of all of them.”

And the story does not end there.  Initially, the Tsunami came in second place, which was fine with the team because that was an incredible accomplishment for a new squad.  But when later discussing the scores, the judges realized they made a mistake.  They had deducted points for doing stunts deemed violations for a Level 1 team.  When they realized the team had advanced mid-season to Level 2, the deductions were removed. With the routine being scored appropriately, the Tsunami secured the highest score.  North Coast Tsunami Cheer had come out with another 1st place win and completed an undefeated season!

“Just getting to go to Las Vegas was amazing!  Going there and winning was incredible!” exclaimed one of the parents.

NCTC accepts students from all over the North Coast.  Girls and boys are welcome.  There will be classes, clinics, and camps available throughout the summer for kids of all ages and cheer experience.  See www.NorthCoastTsunamiCheer.com for updates and details.

The future looks bright for NCTC.  With the formation of a nonprofit called North Coast Tsunami Cheer Waves, it will be easier for the North Coast children to participate and afford the uniforms and travel associated with competition cheer. Further, the Waves will work to provide opportunities for the cheerleaders of North Coast Tsunami Cheer to earn college scholarships from both colleges as well as from local donations.