Sierra’s Anasity Anaya signed a letter of intent Wednesday to William Jessup University, becoming part of a not-too-familiar sport.
She’ll be doing STUNT, which is a new and growing sport similar to that of cheerleading in terms of athletic skills — included are pyramids, basket tosses, group jumps and tumbling.
Anaya, who also goes by ‘Sity,’ was recruited by William Jessup, a Christian liberal arts university in Rocklin, via the NorCal combine held recently at Sacramento State.
“There were 36 colleges at the combine,” said her coach Char Hernandez, who has been in the cheer industry for 30 years.
Anaya was recruited by the Warriors as part of their inaugural program.
William Jessup’s Stunt program is an all-female spring sport that will compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Anaya was joined by her folks, Melissa and Richie Anaya, along with grandparents, relatives, friends, coaches, classmates, teachers and administrators during her special afterschool signing event held in the Sierra High library.
“I was really excited about hearing (about the scholarship offer) from William Jessup,” said Anaya, who is looking towards majoring in Business.
Hernandez — she coaches for the Timberwolves along with Chabryel and Michele Fay — indicated what separates Anasity from others is “her will and determination,” she said.
Anasity Anaya first began doing sideline cheerleading for one of the local youth football programs.
“She also danced competitively,” said her mother Melissa.
As Sierra, Anasity has been on the cheer squad for the past three years.
For now, she’s looking forward to cheering on the Timberwolves at Friday’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoff game in Rio Linda.
“She’s always been a great team player,” said Hernandez of Anasity Anaya.