Lake Forest College Assistant Vice President for Athletics Jim Catanzaro recently announced the addition of Erika Navarro to the staff as the first head coach of the Forester Cheerleading and Dance Teams.

"We are thrilled to welcome Erika Navarro as the first head coach of our cheerleading and dance programs," began Lake Forest College Assistant Vice President for Athletics Jim Catanzaro. "Erika brings an elite level of performance experience from the NFL and Division I collegiate dance, combined with an impressive track record as a coach, choreographer, and educator. Her passion for student development, creative vision, and technical expertise will establish a strong foundation for a program that represents the excellence and energy of Forester Athletics. We look forward to the impact she will make—on campus, in competition, and in the lives of our student-athletes."

The team is set to begin performing and competing in the fall of 2026. Navarro will spend the 2025-26 academic year recruiting athletes for the programs' first year.

Erika Navarro became the first head coach of the Forester varsity cheerleaders and dance team in the summer of 2025.

Navarro's own performance experience includes a season as an NFL Cheerleader with the Seattle Seahawks and two years on the Division 1 Dance Team at California State University, Fullerton. She graduated from the school in 2020 with degrees in political science and dance.

Over the last two years, Navarro has worked with multiple dance studios in southern California, including Supreme Dance Center. She planned and directed all logistics for community and competitive performances, collaborated with the studio owner to develop engaging experiences that foster student leadership and visibility, and was the lead choreographer for performance teams across various styles (jazz, pom, lyrical, hip-hop).

Navarro also served as a varsity dance coach for two years and worked with the United Spirit Association as an instructor and freelance choreographer for eight. She created award-winning and competitive routines and gained experience in cheer and dance at the collegiate level contributing to the auditions at St. Mary's College of California and Fresno State University. In addition, she worked in collaboration with the physical education and dance teachers in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District for three years.

Navarro has also been active on the evaluation side of the industry, serving as an adjudicator for United Spirit Association and National Dance Alliance and judging regional and national competitions with a focus on technical accuracy, performance quality, and creativity. She has also been selected to judge internationally for Organización Nacional de Porristas (National Cheerleading Organization).

"I'm truly honored to start the first cheer and dance programs at Lake Forest College," noted Navarro. "I'm passionate about building a legacy rooted in spirit, performance, and Forester pride. What excites me most is joining a community that truly values and supports its spirit teams as athletes, empowering them to grow as leaders, competitors, and ambassadors for the College."