El Monte High School’s varsity cheer team claimed the 2026 National Cheerleaders Association High School National Championship, earning the first national title in school and district history.
The El Monte cheer national title came during the Jan. 23–24 competition in Fort Worth, Texas. The Lions won the Advanced Non-Tumbling Coed Varsity Crowd Leading division against teams from across the country. El Monte was the only California school competing in that division and just the third from the state to win an NCA national championship in the organization’s 75-year history.
“There were so many emotions when they announced our school’s name,” senior captain Jessal Trejo said. “At first, I was in shock, then I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for myself, my teammates, and our coaches.”
Trejo said she has cheered since age 4 and called the title one of the highest honors in the sport.
Focused Performance On National Stage
The championship event, hosted by the National Cheerleaders Association, tested teams with separate scores for crowd-leading, jumps, stunts, pyramids, dance and tosses. According to the NCA, the High School National Championship draws thousands of athletes each year to Fort Worth.
Despite high winds and several inches of snow, the Lions completed a full warm-up and delivered a two-minute, 30-second routine. The performance opened with a crowd-focused cheer highlighting school colors and the Lions mascot before transitioning into music.
“Since the summer, we conditioned with our coaches to make sure we were physically and mentally prepared,” Trejo said. “In the end it was all worth it.”
The title marked El Monte’s fifth consecutive appearance at nationals. The team previously earned two bronze finishes and placed fourth and fifth in earlier competitions.
Years Of Preparation And Community Support
Coach Gabriel Gonzalez, a 2006 El Monte graduate, said the El Monte cheer national title reflects years of steady growth. Gonzalez is in his 17th year with the program.
“This championship didn’t happen overnight, it’s the result of years of growth and trusting the process,” Gonzalez said. He credited the team’s clean execution and confidence on the national stage.
The Lions train year-round with no off-season. They practice three days a week for three hours at a time. During campus construction, the team often trained outdoors and adjusted sessions based on weather conditions. Their schedule includes winter competitions, spring stunt season, summer camp and fall game-day performances.
Earlier this season, both varsity and junior varsity squads posted zero-deduction routines at the JAMZ State Championship. The team will next compete at JAMZ Nationals on Feb. 20–21 in Las Vegas.
Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said the championship reflects the dedication of students, coaches and families across the El Monte Union High School District.
The El Monte cheer national title stands as a milestone for the campus and a point of pride for the broader community. School officials said the team’s achievement highlights years of work by student-athletes, coaches and families.
More information about the National Cheerleaders Association High School National Championship is available at https://www.varsity.com/nca/school/competitions/high-school-national-championship/.
