Submitted photo by Alexander Scherer, Shots by Scherer: The Iowa Central cheer team stands in the water with their national championship banner after winning the Intermediate Large Co-Ed division for the second consecutive year. Pictured front row (left to right) are Mitchell Murphy and Jake Michaelis. Middle: Amanda Murphy, Addison Kuonen, Myah Rausch, Aubrie Davis, Jessica Carbajal, Isabella Limon, Nique Burrell, Munia Awadalla, Audrie Barajas, Riley MacLaren, Gabe Rosales and Mindy DeBaun. Back: Phoenix Pegue, Justin Sandberg, Dashawn Geiger, Justin Durr, Cedric Dempsey, Jorden Perkins, George Gardea, Luke Hernandez, Kaleb Gent, Julius Minor, Edwin Gomez Garay and Kamden Brown.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The ocean water had never felt so refreshing to the Iowa Central cheer squad.

The Tritons had just clinched a second consecutive National Cheerleaders Association championship on the biggest stage of all in the Intermediate Large Co-Ed division. The reward wasn’t just a trophy, but a celebratory memory to last a lifetime.

“At nationals, there’s a long-standing tradition: teams won’t touch the sand, ocean, or even pool water until after they compete, because it’s considered bad luck,” said veteran ICCC head cheer squad coach Amanda Murphy. “So when you win and finally get that moment to run into the ocean, it’s something really special that only a few get to experience.”

The title capped another very productive trip to the center of the collegiate cheer universe for Iowa Central. The Tritons also took national runner-up honors in the Intermediate All-Girl bracket, and placed third in Advanced Large Co-Ed.

“Iowa Central has really set the standard in the Intermediate Large Co-Ed division,” Murphy said. “With five national titles (overall) in that category, we’ve built a reputation as the team to beat. The consistency says a lot about the level of expectations within our program.

“Overall, I was really proud of how our teams performed. Our all-girl team was, in my opinion, the most talented group in the division. They had some deductions on day one but came back strong on day two and raised their score by five points. Unfortunately, they finished just short of first place by only 0.026 points, which speaks to how competitive that division is.”

Even as defending champs in the Intermediate Large Co-Ed competition, the margin for error was slim as the Tritons blended newcomers with veterans to solidify the performance leading up to the NCA event.

“Heading into this year, we felt physically prepared and confident in our routine,” Murphy said.

“Every female on that team was either a rookie or new to the program, though. That’s a lot of pressure to handle, especially on a national stage, so managing those nerves and expectations was a big part of our focus going in.”

Iowa Central also upped its game for Advance Large Co-Ed. Despite having to settle for bronze, Murphy was proud of how the group competed against the best of the best.

“It’s one of the most prestigious and visible divisions in college cheer,” Murphy said. “We’re still relatively new at that level after moving up in 2023 following three intermediate titles, and many of our competitors have been in that division for decades.

“This was, without question, the most difficult routine Iowa Central has ever performed, and our athletes were prepared. We’re continuing to close the gap, which is exciting for the future of our program.”

The Tritons dealt with their fair share of challenges, both in reestablishing their culture with moving roster pieces and navigating injuries that interrupted the squad’s cohesion.

“One of the biggest hurdles we faced was (lack of) experience, given we had a large number of new athletes stepping into key roles,” Murphy said. “Learning how to compete at the national level, manage expectations, and handle pressure is something that develops over time, so that was a major area of growth for this team.

“Injuries were also an obstacle throughout the year. Our season is truly year-round; it starts with preseason in August and runs through nationals in April, so there really is no offseason. That length creates wear and tear, so we had to make adjustments to teams and continue finding the right combinations while still building consistency. I thought this group handled the adversity really well. They stayed committed to the process, trusted the coaching staff, and continued to improve week-by-week, which ultimately prepared them to compete at a high level when it mattered most.”

The results speak for themselves and the hardware fills the trophy cases at Iowa Central, but Murphy and her staff will always preach a bigger picture to the program.

“More than anything, what meant the most to me was the way our teams supported each other,” Murphy said. “No matter which group (of the three from Iowa Central) was competing, the other two were there in full force. They understand the highs and lows of each other’s journeys, and that bond is something special.

“Seeing our Advanced Co-Ed team emotional and celebrating when Intermediate Co-Ed won…that’s what it’s all about. Those are the moments that go beyond competition and reflect the kind of people and culture we’re building, and that’s what makes me the most proud.”

The Tritons set a tone years ago as a JUCO force, and they aren’t going anywhere in the eyes of Murphy.

“Iowa Central was actually the first junior college to bring three teams to nationals, and now you’re seeing more programs follow that model,” Murphy said. “I think that speaks to the standard and culture our athletes have helped build. It’s not just about individual talent, it’s about being part of something bigger and fully investing in the success of the entire program.

“What makes this group unique really comes down to their level of commitment and the culture they’ve built. To be part of this program, you have to truly love the sport: you have to live it, breathe it, and fully buy into what we’re doing every day. But beyond that, it’s the way they support each other that stands out the most. It doesn’t matter if you’re one of the most elite athletes on the team or someone with primarily game-day experience – everyone has a role. Everyone matters. Each team is just as important as the next, and they genuinely take pride in each other’s success.”

Murphy saw the Tritons embrace that one-for-all concept in both the collective approach and the shared responsibility of molding the routines into a finished product.

“What stood out most was that leadership wasn’t limited to one or two individuals,” Murphy said. “Different athletes stepped up in different moments, whether it was holding teammates accountable, offering encouragement, or setting the tone in practice. I believe great teams coaches and athletes lead. That’s the culture we have built.

“The pressure is always there, especially at the national level, but I think what’s allowed us to maintain a high standard is our daily approach. Our staff shows up every day with the mindset of getting better and pouring into our athletes. It’s not just me – it’s our assistant coaches, our strength coach, our athletic trainers, and even our alumni who come back and invest in the program. It truly takes everyone. Our athletes take pride in representing Iowa Central. The commitment across the entire program is what allows us to sustain success – even with the pressure that comes with it.”