The Tualatin High School co-ed cheer team entered this competition season with the pressure of defending the state title they won last year. In response to that pressure? The team not only took first place at the state championships in Oregon City, but one week later, took home first place in the USA Spirit Nationals championship.

The team had just a few days to alter their routine for the national championships before they traveled to Anaheim, California, to compete for the national title.

Crystal Corona, the team’s coach, has been with the team at Tualatin High School for the last five years. She’s seen the class of 2026 through their entire high school careers. One of the team’s seniors is Elizabeth Klups, who said her role was “to keep the team calm” through their fast-paced competition season. Corona and Klups join us to discuss the wins and what it means to represent Oregon on a national stage.

“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.

If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook, send an email to [email protected], or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/03/03/think-out-loud-tualatin-high-school-cheer-team/