Tracy High’s cheer team went through a big change this year when Millie Dahlgren took over as coach.

The cheerleaders, who represent their school at Bulldogs football and basketball games, took the new start as the cue to strive for bigger accomplishments. That drive culminated in a second place finish at the United Spirit Association Nationals on Sunday at Disneyland in Anaheim.

"It’s really nice to know that this was the best finish ever since Tracy has been in competition," Dahlgren said.

The 33 girls on the school’s varsity and junior varsity squads got their award, including a trophy for the school and medals for each of the girls, in the Super Varsity Show Cheer Novice Division. Tracy was up against 13 other teams of 21 or more cheerleaders.

Tracy’s cheerleaders competed in regional competition at Washington High School in Fremont in November and at West High in Tracy in December to qualify for the Anaheim event.

Dahlgren said she credits former coach Jamie Ulloa, who helped the team fine-tune its routines in the weeks leading up to the event. Dahlgren added that the team was ready to take high honors this time.

"These girls worked so hard throughout the year," she said. "They carry themselves in the highest esteem and are very respectful of others. That really says a lot about the character of Tracy High School’s cheerleaders."

The Anaheim event also had participants from West High, which sent its cheer and dance teams. They took 13th out of 25 teams that in the Open Medium Dance competition.