CLMS competition cheer team is ‘Best in the West’

CLMS competition cheer team wins Best in the West title at the Best in the West Cheer and Dance Invitational on Feb. 10 in Hemet Photo provided by Tammy Howard.

The Canyon Lake Middle School competition cheer team is on a roll this season. The team competed Saturday, Feb 10, at the Best in the West Cheer and Dance Invitational in Hemet where they earned the “Best in the West” title.

The team earned a full paid bid to compete at this event after winning at the CHEERPros California State Cheer and Dance Championships in Pasadena on Jan. 20.

The team took first place overall at the USA Brea Olinda Regional at Brea High School on Dec. 16, qualifying them to compete at the upcoming USA Jr. Nationals on Feb. 25 in Anaheim.

“We are proud to say the team is now Best in the West Jr. Cheer Champions for 2018,” said coach Tammy Howard. “We are having a phenomenal season. Next stop is USA Jr. Nationals in Anaheim.”

The CLMS competition cheer team is made up of 18 girls. Canyon Lake residents on the team are Kolena Apana, Skyler Fullerton, Kylie Hill, Rula Katsouridis, Zoe Kays, Sydney Manning, Riley Smith and Julia Zitzke. Additional team members are Allie Brockie, Lacey Castillo, Payton Harding, Mariah Morris, Kaley Pelton, Kailani Rjiejahh, Isabella Roe, Brooklyn Smith, Katelynn Stout and Isabella Villarreal.