Yuma Catholic cheer wins Division 4 game day state championship

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Catholic Shamrocks cheer team is bringing a state title back to Yuma after winning the Division 4 Game Day State Championship this past weekend at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

The victory marks Yuma Catholic’s second cheer state championship in school history — and the first since the 2004–2005 season. It also becomes the school’s 19th state championship overall since opening.

Despite being one of the smallest teams in the division with just nine girls, the Shamrocks climbed their way through a competitive field.

Head Coach Hailey Curry says the win reflects the high expectations that come with being part of Yuma Catholic.

“Yeah, it is very cool. I mean at Yuma Catholic there’s high standards here and we’re just happy to be able to bring this home for the school.”

The team traveled to Phoenix on Thursday before competing Friday. To reach the finals, they first had to survive a challenging qualifying round with multiple schools fighting for the top spots.

“We went through a qualifying round with the team and then they made it to finals,” Curry said.

“We had to beat five teams to get into qualifiers. We went in with four teams, and we went in the top spot… and from then it just became about keeping it and staying in the top spot, and they were able to do it. They really put forth the effort and the energy and it was the best performance I could’ve asked for from the girls.”

For the athletes, this championship carried extra meaning. Much of last year’s roster graduated, leaving behind a young, rebuilt squad. Senior captain Janelle Guzman said the win felt surreal for a group that had to grow up fast.

“Honestly, no — this is a whole new team. We lost a lot of our team last year and this is just brand new… and it was just so surreal actually winning it,” Guzman said.

“We put so many hours in, so much work into it. So actually receiving it and getting that back just meant so much, especially as a brand-new team.”

Guzman added that cheerleaders often feel overlooked compared to other sports on campus — making this championship even more special.

“I feel like the school doesn’t recognize the cheer team ever — like we’re just kind of there on the sideline,” she said.

“So I think us bringing home the state title means so much. Out of all the teams, cheer really brought it… especially with there only being nine girls on the team. Such a small team bringing home such a big title for the school just means a lot.”

Coach Curry says the team’s performance set a new tone for the program moving forward, and both she and her athletes hope the championship sparks a fresh level of recognition for YC cheer.

The Shamrocks are expected to be honored on campus in the coming days.