Rancho Verde Cheer & Stunt Makes History: Coach Tash Gillard Reflects on a Record-Breaking 2025 Winter Season
For the Rancho Verde High School Cheer and Stunt team, the 2025 winter season wasn’t just good—it was historic. Under the leadership of Head Coach Tash Gillard, the team accomplished feats never before seen in the program’s history. From defeating powerhouse teams to earning a spot in the CIF postseason, Rancho Verde has cemented itself as a rising force in the world of high school stunt.
As part of our 2025 Winter Season Recap Series, Coach Gillard gave us an exclusive inside look into the season that redefined expectations—and what it took to get there.
Key Players Who Anchored the Season
Every great team relies on key contributors, and Rancho Verde was no exception. Junior Isabella Lopez was a standout on both the cheer and stunt teams. Described by Coach Gillard as a “phenomenal base,” Isabella’s consistency and ability to recover difficult stunts earned critical points in tightly contested matchups. Her technical leadership and willingness to mentor teammates elevated everyone around her.
Another cornerstone of the team was junior flyer Daniela Zuniga, a three-year veteran whose dynamic abilities helped the squad push beyond basic routines. “We couldn’t progress past the simple routines without her specific skill set,” said Coach Gillard. Daniela’s talent was matched by her maturity, as she kept the team grounded and focused through the season’s ups and downs.
A Season of Firsts: League Champions and CIF Bound
Coach Gillard summed it up plainly: “This was the best stunt season in Rancho Verde’s history.”
The program earned its first-ever #1 league ranking, a massive accomplishment that underscores how far the team has come. Perhaps the most unforgettable moment of the season was the victory over Orange Vista, a well-established program known for its size and strength.
“They have twice as many athletes as us, and boys too,” Gillard noted. “I don’t think any of us were truly expecting to win, but we put in a lot of hard work—including before and after school practices.” The win didn’t just boost morale—it confirmed that grit, precision, and heart could overcome even the biggest odds.
Turning Setbacks into Momentum
While victories defined much of the season, it was a loss that became a crucial turning point. The team’s defeat at the hands of Heritage High School, amid a slew of injuries, forced the athletes to confront their vulnerabilities.
“We had a lot of injured players, and there wasn’t much we could do skill-wise,” said Coach Gillard. “But I think that loss gave the team the humility we needed to strive for better.” The team responded with renewed focus, elevating both their technique and teamwork. That resilience became a theme for the rest of the season.
Young Stars on the Rise
The 2025 season wasn’t just about established stars—it also marked the emergence of several underclassmen who grew into vital roles.
Sophomore Jur’Dyn Peters, previously on the JV cheer squad, rapidly progressed into a stunt contributor performing skills she hadn’t imagined possible at the start of the year. “Her skills grew immensely,” Gillard said with pride.
Freshman Analiyah Mackey proved that age is just a number. With less preparation than her teammates, she still rose to become one of the team’s top flyers. Her meteoric rise speaks volumes about her athletic ability and mental toughness.
Meanwhile, sophomore Darla Hall demonstrated unmatched versatility. After flying exclusively last year, she took on multiple roles in 2025—flying, basing, and back spotting—and excelled in each.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Injuries, high-stress performances, and difficult losses could have broken many teams—but Rancho Verde used those moments to grow.
“Time and time again, this team has risen to the occasion,” said Coach Gillard. Even when warm-ups went awry or pressure mounted, the team delivered when it counted most. That mental toughness became a defining characteristic of this squad.
Senior Class: The Backbone of Success
Coach Gillard was quick to honor her seniors: Iriana Garcia, Chelsea Patterson, Ashley Hernandez, and Valerie Ocampo. These athletes brought depth, leadership, and performance excellence across every role—whether as bases, flyers, back spots, or tumblers.
“I can put them anywhere, and they will execute in a manner that guarantees us the point every time,” Gillard said. Their adaptability and reliability were crucial to the team’s record-setting achievements.
Looking Ahead: Building on a Historic Season
The future of Rancho Verde Cheer & Stunt is incredibly bright, and Coach Gillard is thrilled about what lies ahead.
“I’m stoked about the underclassmen being able to experience such an incredible season for once,” she said. The team’s newfound success sets a precedent, and the younger athletes are ready to rise to the challenge of continuing this upward trajectory.
With a strong core of returning players who now understand what winning feels like, the stage is set for the program to sustain and even expand upon its success.
Offseason Goals: Perfecting the Craft
Even in a historic season, there’s always room to grow. Coach Gillard’s focus for the offseason is improving “technique and cleanliness”—two critical components in competitive stunt routines. Tight execution and polished transitions can make the difference between placing and podium finishes in CIF competition.
By continuing to push for technical excellence, Rancho Verde can aim not just to compete—but to dominate.
Where to Follow the Action
Fans can keep up with the team’s stats and postseason performance through the official CIF Southern Section website, where varsity stunt results and updates are posted regularly.
But the true measure of this team isn’t in numbers—it’s in heart, unity, and the powerful transformation of a once-overlooked program into a league champion.
Final Thoughts: A Program Transformed
The 2025 season will be remembered as a watershed moment for Rancho Verde Cheer & Stunt. Coach Gillard’s leadership, the seniors’ consistency, the stars’ performance, and the underclassmen’s growth combined to form something truly special.
The program isn’t just growing—it’s thriving. And while the trophies and titles are worth celebrating, it’s the journey, the teamwork, and the triumph over adversity that define this team’s legacy.
As Rancho Verde heads into CIF competition and begins preparations for the 2026 season, one thing is clear: the standard has been set, and the Coyotes are just getting started.
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