The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Over the Top: Despite its youth, the high-flying 6-month-old cheerleading squad Legacy Co-ed All-Stars has qualified for two March national competitions, aided by three Willow Glen members.

Local high school students boost their cheer team to the nationals

Lincoln teen athletes thrive on competing in collegiate ranks

By Michelle Ku

Walk down the halls of Peterson Middle School in Sunnyvale on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday evening, and you can hear the chants of "Le-ga-cy" echo through the school. Just off the main gymnasium, young athletes are tumbling and rehearsing cheerleading routines.

At a time when most people are at home, the Legacy Co-ed All-Stars practice from 6:30 to 9 p.m., honing their skills for two March national cheerleading competitions, the United Spirit Association and the National Cheerleaders Association nationals.

A first-year competitive co-ed cheerleading squad, the team is 29 members strong, 10 males and 19 females, ranging from 16 to 21 years old. Three of them--Matt Garcia, Celina Hernandez and Marcella Vasquez--are Willow Glen residents.

"It's been fun," Vasquez said. "It's really tiring because we practice four nights a week, but I enjoy it. It keeps me active and it keeps a lot of people out of trouble."

"The team has a lot of dedication," Hernandez said. "We work really hard to be the best we can be. That's why I enjoy it so much."

Although the members of Legacy have only been together since August--most squads hold tryouts and practices in April--they have qualified for two national competitions when only six members of the team are out of high school.

Hernandez, Vasquez, and Garcia are all 16-year-old juniors at Lincoln High School.

"We're not surprised about qualifying for nationals because we knew the kids and how dedicated they are," said Angie Tolliver, head coach of the Legacy All-Stars. "But it's not normal for a startup team to be this competitive." To qualify for the competitions, the squad had to receive a score of 85 percent or higher in two January competitions. The team is rated on general showmanship and on how well they perform their routines and their stunts, Tolliver said.

Formed at the request of a group of male cheerleaders who wanted to participate in competitive cheerleading, Legacy gives high-school-aged cheerleaders throughout the area an alternative.

"We've seen kids go into high school who loved the competitive aspect of cheerleading and didn't want to cheer at football or basketball teams, or their high school didn't have competitive teams," Tolliver said. She and fellow Legacy coach Karen Moreira are also cheerleading directors for the Sunnyvale Rockets, a high-school-level cheerleading squad that has qualified for nationals.

Hernandez and Vasquez joined Legacy because of its competitive aspect and decided not to join the Lincoln team so they could participate in competitive cheerleading.

For those out of high school, Legacy lets them continue cheering.

"I wanted to cheer after high school," said Chris Garcia. "I work 12-hour days and then have three hours of practice at night, but I love it."

Legacy could also pave the way for its members to get spots on other collegiate-level squads. And it isn't just about the cheerleading--it's also about making friends.

"Almost every Saturday night they have their Legacy night where they all go out together," Tolliver said. "Every so often Karen and I will be invited, but...we don't want to know what a college-level team is doing."

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