We are putting every ounce of energy we have into these last 2 months of practices so we can put out the best performance we can at Worlds.

Nathan O'Connor is the definition of a true athlete. After being introduced to the cheer world at a young age, he has risen to the top and now cheers for two prestigious programs; Twist & Shout Diamonds and Oklahoma State University!

Nathan earned an 2017 NCA National Championship title with the Diamonds and now has his focus set on giving his best performance with his all star squad in the hopes of winning The Cheerleading Worlds; we caught up with him to find out how he'll be preparing to take the mat in Orlando, FL.

Get to know Twist & Shout Diamond's Nathan O'Connor!

How did you get into cheerleading?

I started cheering when I was in grade school because my older sister cheered. I took a few years off and started again my freshman year of high school. I then was asked to join a partial season team at Ultimate Athletics. I was on that team for all four years of high school.

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Where have you cheered in the past?

• Cheer Time USA
• Ultimate Athletics

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What cheerleading titles have you won?

• 2017 CHEERSPORT Nationals
• 2017 NCA All-Star Nationals


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Do you have a signature tumbling pass?

My signature pass is a double whip double, kick double, bounce back pass.

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Talk about your Worlds preparation. How do you stay healthy during your competition travel and strenuous practice schedule?

After NCA All-Star, we took a much-needed break. Now we are getting back into the gym and dedicate our time to perfecting our routine. We are working on upgrading our skills and making sure our current skills are as good as they can be. To stay healthy, I make sure I'm fueling my body right and taking care of any minor injury so I can make it through these tough practices.


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Competing at Worlds in an experience like no other. Talk us through the atmosphere as an athlete and how you plan to stay focused.

At Worlds, our team is going to be focused on ourselves and only ourselves. We are going to stay in our "diamond shack" and make sure we do what we need to do in order to be successful. 


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How have you and your team been preparing?

We have been pushing for perfection at all of our practices. We are at that point in the season where a hit just isn't good enough. Our coaches look for even the little things to be perfect or it doesn't count. We are putting every ounce of energy we have into these last 2 months of practices so we can put out the best performance we can at Worlds.


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Do you have any traditions heading into Worlds?

Diamonds have a set of letters dedicated to the team which are RBODF. Each year new Diamonds learn what these letters mean when the team feels as though we have become a family. This year we learned the letters at NCA All-Star. The only people to know what these letters mean are people that have been on Diamonds.

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What are your future goals in the cheerleading world?

I would really like to win The Cheerleading Worlds and NCA College Nationals at least once before I retire from cheerleading.

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NCA National Champs Twist & Shout Diamonds: Next Stop Worlds!

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