Montecito, Calif. – Westmont College is adding a new varsity sport to its campus lineup. The liberal arts college announced the formation of its first-ever STUNT team, with the inaugural competition season scheduled to start in February 2027.
What is STUNT?
STUNT blends athletic elements traditionally associated with cheerleading—partner stunts, pyramids, tosses, jumps and tumbling—into a head‑to‑head competitive format. Unlike traditional cheerleading, the sport is structured as a game between two teams, with points awarded for execution of specific routines and skills.
Coaching and Vision
“I am really excited,” said Ariana Johnson, the newly appointed head coach of Westmont’s STUNT program. “I love coaching, I love caring for people, I love this school.” Johnson, a longtime Montecito resident, emphasized that the program is about more than competition. She hopes to build a culture where athletes grow both on and off the mat, offering a new avenue for students with backgrounds in cheer, dance or tumbling to continue competing at the collegiate level.
“What Santa Barbara needs to hear is that this sport is very different,” Johnson added. “This sport is not cheerleading. This is their athlete. They’re the star.” The coach believes the timing is ideal, as the NCAA recently elevated STUNT to championship status.
Student Athletes Speak
Freshman athletes are already feeling the weight of being pioneers. “I’m mostly looking forward to creating a culture and a foundation for all the years to come of STUNT,” said freshman Taryn Kampsen. “I’m really excited for that.” Fellow freshman Gianna Hernandez highlighted the personal significance of the opportunity: “It’s definitely surreal. It’s just nice being able to carry on what they would have wanted for themselves, to be able to do that for my whole family.”
NCAA Milestone
In January 2026, all three NCAA divisions voted to recognize STUNT as an official championship sport, with the first national championship expected in spring 2027. Robert Ruiz, Westmont’s Athletic Director, noted the importance of the decision. “I followed the sport in the NCAA and watched how it went from an emerging sport to just this past year getting voted in as a national championship sport,” he said.
For Johnson, the NCAA’s move adds extra meaning to Westmont’s debut season. “Every athlete that’s here has that calling. They want to do something bigger than themselves, and they want to do something that they get to do as a legacy and be the first ever,” she said.
Looking Ahead
The college’s first STUNT competition is set for February 2027, marking a new chapter for Westmont and for the sport’s growing presence in Southern California. Prospective students interested in joining the program or learning about scholarship opportunities are encouraged to visit the college’s official athletics website.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
