The Santa Barbara City College cheerleading squad has built a strong reputation under the leadership of head coach Coral De Alba.

De Alba is entering her ninth year as coach. She says cheerleading is a sport that involves commitment, dedication, focus, and most of all consistency.

“These girls have to be here for three days of practice [per week],” De Alba said. “They are responsible for making it happen day in and day out; they have to push themselves.”

De Alba was a cheerleader for a semi-pro basketball team in Las Vegas while studying at the University of Nevada. She even cheered for the Vaqueros back in the late 1990’s.

“I love cheerleading,” said De Alba. “I always wanted to stay involved.”

De Alba took City College cheer team to a national title in 2009 and finished second behind Cal Baptist at the West Coast Championship, hosted by Cheerleaders of America last year.

De Alba says her biggest obstacle is maintaining a strong team nucleus year in and year out.

“The biggest challenge is losing girls every two years,” says De Alba. “We work really hard in practice and games to prepare for those competitions.”

The team consist of 20 girls.

To join the squad cheerleaders must present an audition video each year that features one dance, varying from hip-hop, jazz, or pop.

Erica Allbritton experienced the preparation and dedication going into City College’s cheer squad first hand.

Allbritton competed in gymnastics for 13 years before joining the cheer squad in high school and is now entering her third year with the Vaqueros.

Allbritton has seen girls come and go, unable to commit to the rigorous routine. She says that some girls just think it’s easy.

“We have to be responsible,” Allbritton said. “We give our weekends; Coral is not there to baby sit us.”

Lauren Boyen made her choice to join the City College cheer squad after seeing them compete on You Tube.

“I came here because of the reputation,” Boyen said. “I saw the cheerleading team compete and decided City College was the right place for me.”

Boyen cheers along with working part-time at 24 Hour Fitness and attending school full-time.

“Cheerleading is my biggest priority,” Boyen said. “I take a full load of work and school, so I have to be flexible.”

De Alba calls her job “rewarding” even though she consistently has to re-vamp the roster.

“We are right up there with the four-year schools,” De Alba said. “Last year we finished ahead of Arizona State and University of Southern California.”

The cheer squad will compete at the United Spirit Association College Nationals two day event on Feb. 27 with aspirations of bringing home another national title.