Royals on top at cheer championships

PROVO — There were moments, plenty of them, when first-year cheer coach Cameron Larsen didn't think his team would reach its potential.

"We've had a lot of health problems and other issues," said the Roy High coach after the Royals not only won the 4A state cheer title but also earned the most overall points in the state cheerleading championships held at Timpview High on Saturday.

"We've had a lot of adversity and lost a lot of girls, but we worked through it and they put it together when it mattered most. There were times when I thought I can't ask them to do anything more, but they did."

With injuries and illness, including kidney stones and appendicitis, the Royals struggled to keep a consistent competition squad together.

"We've had a lot of trials, but we pulled together and gave it our all," said Haleigh Van Eerden, a senior captain. "The trials just gave us all motivation. ... It's amazing. We're so happy right now."

Larsen, who graduated from Roy in 2007, was a member of the Royals' cheer and stunt squad and is now a full-time student at Weber State University, as well as a member of the Wildcats' cheer and stunt team.

"The (former) coach wanted to start a family and the administration just came to me and asked me if I wanted to take it over," he said.

He'd worked last year as an assistant coach. He is assisted by Heather Good, and the teacher/advisor for the squad is Michele Kersey-Smith.

"Everything has kind of fallen into place," said Larsen. "I have really great parents and the administration has been great. Obviously, we're doing something right."

Larsen is one of the few male head coaches in the high school ranks, but he said he's been tumbling, stunting and cheering most of his life, so he feels right at home.

"None of this was really a surprise," said Larsen, who also finds time to work at a cheer company.

The cheerleaders love and respect Larsen, whom they say is a great choreographer but a hard-nosed leader.

"He does it all," said Mandy Dickerson. "He's a full-time student and has his own practices, and he makes time for us."

All of the girls said stunting is their favorite part of cheering, something they get to do a lot of in competitions like Saturday's.