Valley native realizes dream by making San Diego Chargers dance squad

Note: I think this is legit, but Brianna doesn’t appear in the team photo from finals, so I can’t say for sure. ~sasha

By Jonathan Dales
Imperial Valley Press
May 4, 2013

A general manager, head coach and exciting draft picks aren’t the only new additions to the San Diego Chargers organization, as El Centro native Brianna Lizeth was recently named the newest member of the Charger Girls dance team.

“Since I was about in seventh grade, my dance teacher recommended it for me and I knew it was a dream of mine but I didn’t know it was possible to reach that goal,” Brianna said.

“Ever since I became 18, I’ve made it my goal to make the team,” she said.

Brianna’s journey to the Charger Girls began when she was growing up in El Centro, as the aspiring cheerleader and athlete spent eight years in dance.

“I have always been a diehard Charger fan since I was a little girl,” she said.

“I grew up knowing about the Chargers players and even met the Charger Girls at the Carrot Festival when I was younger,” she said.

A 2009 graduate of Central Union High, the former Spartan also ran cross country under Bob Gaede as a youngster, before competing in that sport as well as track and soccer in high school.

But donning the famous blue and gold lightning bolt-clad uniforms of the football team’s official dance troupe and cheer squad has always been Brianna’s dream.

“Everything just feels so in place, because I’m a dancer,” she said. “Accepting that it’s a reality has been the most difficult thing.

“I’m always asking myself if I’m dreaming, and sometimes it’s hard to accept the fact that I’m not dreaming, that this is real,” Brianna said. “I think that it’s even greater than I imagined, but I expected it to be a wonderful experience.”

In just three weeks with the Charger Girls, Brianna has already had one camp and has learned the dance routines, all while bonding with her fellow dancers.

“It’s so much fun; I’m having a lifetime experience so far,” she said. “I have dance students that I do teach here in the Valley and they’re all very proud of me.”

Brianna said she’s also excited about the impact she will have on others with her newfound position.

“I feel that we are role models, because not only do we lift up the crowd’s spirits, but we also do charity work around the San Diego community,” she said. “We do have a calendar shoot and the proceeds go to a charity that we vote on.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing the organization get more involved in the Valley, because there are so many Charger fans down here,” she said.

“I would love for us to come down more often so that we can meet all of these Charger fans and also inspire girls like me to one day be a Charger Girl,” she said.