SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- (AP) — CSU Bakersfield's Spirit Squads recently wrapped up a four-day training experience at the UCA/UDA Summer Camp held on the campus of UC Santa Barbara from August 7th-10th.
Throughout the week, teh Roadrunners participated in a range of skill-building activities such as team dances, performance routines, stunting, pyramids and for Rowdy, character and skit development. All squads were evaluated on set performances as taught by UCA/UDA staff, offering vital feedback as teh spirit squads prepares for the upcoming 2025–2026 season.
Seven student-athletes and head coach Courtland Witt collaborated closely with UDA staff and other collegiate teams to enhance their dance repertoire, focusing on game-centered routines designed to engage and entertain future Roadrunner fans.
The team was evaluated across multiple categories and came away with several honors:
• Superior Plaque (Team Evaluation)
• Gameday Superior
• Program Improvement Award (voted on by fellow dance teams)
Head coach Courtland Witt praised her team's dedication and unity throughout the camp experience.
"I'm so proud of the girls and their hard work this week, not only as individuals but as a team," Witt said. "It was encouraging to see the ladies push themselves and each other to step out of their comfort zones and have success. This experience will help us as we continue to group our program"
Nineteen student-athletes from of the cheer squad, under the direction of head coach Arthur Smith, worked hand-in-hand with UCA staff to learn and perfect two distinct routines: a performance routine featuring tumbling, stunts, basket tosses and an elite pyramid, and a gameday routine emphasizing crowd engagement through chants and visual cues.
As a highlight of the camp, two Roadrunner stunt groups were selected to participate in the STUNT Showcase on Day 3 a competitive format held in front of the entire camp. The invitation-only showcase spotlighted top stunt groups across all attending schools, offering CSUB a chance to demonstrate its strength, technique and teamwork on a larger stage.
The cheer team also earned the following awards:
• Superior Team Ribbon (Performance Routine)
• Excellence Team Ribbon (Gameday Routine, Day 3)
• Superior Team Ribbon (Gameday, Day 4)
"Overall, I'm extremely proud of the way the team worked this week," Smith said. "With 11 new Roadrunner athletes attending camp for the first time, it could have been a lot but I'm proud of how our returners demonstrated leadership and made sure we stayed true to our team culture of hard work and responding when called upon to do so."
Representing the mascot team, one student-athlete attended the UCA mascot camp, working alongside some of the top Division I mascots in the country. The experience focused on character development, skit work and performance enhancement.
Rowdy's efforts did not go unnoticed. Being voted the Most Improved Mascot by fellow camp participants, a testament to the progress and commitment throughout the four-day event.
With camp complete, the spirit squads now shift their focus to the 2025–2026 season and look forward to seeing Roadrunner fans at a upcoming sporting event.
