ROCKLIN, Calif. – When Alexis Blunk walks into Warrior Arena, home of Jessup STUNT, her eyes are drawn to a new addition to the arena's décor: a banner. Blunk, entering year three as the head coach of Jessup STUNT, led the program to a national championship in just its second year of existence.
 
The bar has been set exceptionally high for the 2023 season and the roster Blunk calls Team Three.
 
"Team Two did the unthinkable, and they brought home a national title," says Blunk. "When we started this program, myself and Brandon Bowling, we talked about giving the program five years for this to happen. So to be able to do it in year two, it's just absolutely crazy."
 
Even crazier is how they did it. Jessup beat reigning national champions Vanguard, a program that had defeated the Warriors by ten less than 24 hours before the championship match. The final moments of the championship match were a defining moment for Blunk. Leading 9-8, Blunk called routine eight, one neither side could complete, guaranteeing her team a victory.
 
For a young coach, Blunk was unphased by the moment as she reflected on her years around the sport. "I actually started STUNT when I got to college at Cal Poly," says Blunk, adding that she grew up a cheerleader. "My coach, (Annette Laron-Pickett), she taught me a lot about STUNT and being strategic with your plays and different things like that. That's where I learned the strategy behind the sport."
 
It's been a whirlwind of an offseason for Blunk. To start, she got a new last name as she married James Blunk, the man tabbed to be the first head coach for Jessup Cheer. Together, the couple will look to continue the successes seen on the STUNT mat at all Jessup Athletics events.
 
But on top of the new name, and banner, Blunk must adjust to another change: recruiting.
 
When she took the job in 2019, Blunk's recruiting needs were simple. She needed players. Those brought in to make up teams one and two paved the way for future programs, and they were rewarded for it, as the team received their National Championship rings at a private event in November. Now Blunk and her squad enter year three with a target firmly cemented to their back. The expectations of future Warriors have changed.
 
"Our recruiting has gotten a lot harder as we've been growing and progressing," adds Blunk. "We definitely have a set of standards that we have to hold when looking for new recruits. We do have a very big roster this year, with 41 athletes. So our spots for next year are very limited. We're just trying to find those best athletes that do want to be a part of this program."
 
Those who claimed a spot on Team Three receive opportunities unlike any in collegiate STUNT. Team Two traveled halfway across the country for a three-match trip in Oklahoma. The Warriors have already one-upped their trip from a year ago, visiting Dallas last month to take on two of the biggest names in Division I athletics.
 
It's all part of Blunk's goal for 2023. Jessup not only squared off against the likes of Kentucky and Texas Tech, but they beat them too.
 
"This year, our goal is to go out there and play those big Division I schools, and not just play them, but we want to beat them," Blunk said when asked what is left to be done after winning a championship so early. "We know we can hold our own in the NAIA now. So we want to keep moving up."
 
Jessup's weekend in Dallas was a marquee moment for the program. Competing four times at Dallas Baptist University, Jessup went home with four wins, with the other two coming against St. Mary's of Texas and Texas Woman's University.
 
The motto of the Warriors, says Blunk, is "go big or go home." And last season, the Warriors got to experience both at the same time as the 2022 NAIA Stunt Nationals took place inside Warrior Arena. It was a picture-perfect setting for Jessup in 2022, one they hope to replicate in the spring.
 
"It was so special to be at home in front of our fans, in front of our community, and be able to bring home that title," says Blunk, adding she wants to replicate that hometown advantage everywhere the team visits in 2023. "We're already trying to rally up some parents to come with us and support us when we travel so that we have that same energy. We definitely think that was a huge factor in our win."
 
This season the national championship will take place in Oklahoma City, the same gym Jessup visited for a midseason trip a season ago. The Panhandle State is calling, but unlike last season's run to the top, the target is now firmly cemented on Jessup's back.
 
One of those teams who have eyes on the target, Vanguard, will get their chance at revenge this Friday. For those around the STUNT community, one can assume this will not be the final meeting of these two schools in 2023.
 
STUNT continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. The growth can be seen close to home, as five GSAC schools now house STUNT programs. Those five teams will meet up at the end of the month to determine the first-ever conference champion.
 
"We're gonna do our own West Coast Conference Championships," says Blunk on the conference championship that will take place March 31 in Fullerton. "We'll have a double elimination tournament and compete for a conference title, which will be super cool this year.
 
More teams are coming for the trophy that currently sits in the Warrior Arena lobby, and that's how the Warriors want it.
 
To be the best, you have to beat the best. Right now, the best in NAIA STUNT lives right here in Rocklin. If you don't believe us, come see the banner for yourself.  
Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).