It’s A Three-Peat

They did it again. For the third consecutive year, the 16 members of Titans Dance Team are the winners of the Universal Dance Association College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Division I (universities without football programs).

Caption: The Titans Dance Team with their championship trophy.


Titans Dance Team Coaches Jennie Volkert, left, and Kenndra Alvarez.

The Cal State Fullerton team captured the title earlier this month in Orlando, garnering top scores to win its 11th title in the last 13 years. Fullerton won consecutive titles from 2000 through 2004, 2006 through 2008, as well as 2010 and 2011.

“Each and every year, there is something different that makes each team unique,” said Jennie Volkert, one of the team's coaches. “This year, it was our team's positivity, drive, dedication and motivation from day one to defend our national title and go for a three-peat! I am beyond proud of this team. Even though we walk in to the competition arena every year with a big target on our back — as the team to beat — the girls remained calm and focused. They knew what they had to do and they got it done!”

The team’s choreographer and other coach, Kenndra Alvarez, echoed Volkert's sentiments, saying “we can now call our team 11-time national champions!”

Team members — all undergrads, their hometowns and majors, are:

• Captain Chelsea Horn, Woodlands, Texas, child development
• Alexis Bravo, Placentia, kinesiology
• Krysten Dorado, Diamond Bar, kinesiology
• Hayley Friend, Diamond Bar, communications
• Kristina Gutierrez, Whittier, business administration
• Danielle Hambrick, Chino Hills, child development
• Morgan Harris, Placentia, radio-TV-film
• Kirstie Hendrickson, Chino Hills, nursing
• Tara Indelicato, La Habra Heights, business administration
• Courtney Lawler, Aliso Viejo, business administration
• Ally Martinez, Yorba Linda, communications
• Kara Partridge, Corona, biology
• Kayla Rowland, Chino Hills, communications
• Marisa Struzik, Morgan Hill, psychology
• Karen Tepe, Placentia, nursing
• Nicole Warner, Yorba Linda, health science

The team will perform its winning routine at the university’s homecoming game Feb. 4 in Titan Gym and at the United Spirit Association's College Spirit and Dance competition at the Anaheim Convention Center in March, when they will compete to retain that championship title as well.

Jan. 25, 2012