After a year of intense training, 24-year-old Issaquah native Angela Beard got the happy news Sunday night that she made the cut to be one of this year’s Sea Gals — the 34-member cheer squad for the Seattle Seahawks.

“I am excited for Angela to experience life as a Sea Gal,” said Sea-Gals director Sherri Thompson. “I believe she will be an asset to the 2013 Sea Gals Squad.”

Beard graduated from Skyline High School, then studied dance at Bellevue College, receiving her associate’s degree. She works as a nanny, and also works at the clothier, Free People, in Bellevue Square. She lives at home with her parents.

“My mom cried her eyes out,” Beard said. “They (her parents) know how hard I’ve trained this past year.”

Beard said she was just doing her normal workout at Gold’s Gym in Issaquah last year, in a dance/workout class, when she was noticed by Thompson.

“She told me all the great things the girls get to do, travel, fun things,” Beard said.

Thompson encouraged her to audition, which she did, but she didn’t make the cut. So, for the past year she had time to learn what she needed to tweak, and at this year’s auditions, she “brought it.”

She said every girl brings something to the table, but with NFL cheer squads they don’t do the dangerous stunts, rather it’s more of a dance routine with pompoms.

Beard has two older siblings, a sister and brother.

“Oh my gosh, my sister is a huge, huge fan,” she said.

Unfortunately her sister is expecting twins in September, so she probably won’t make it to very many games.

Thompson said the squad doesn’t travel with the team during the regular season but cheerleaders would travel to the Super Bowl if the Seahawks got that far.

Thompson added that the Sea Gals are paid for everything they do.

“It is a job, but also a great dance outlet,” Beard said. “I’m very excited.”