Pine Log

Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Cody Derouen SFA Cheerleaders bring home their sixth consecutive national championship from the NCA National Cheerleading competition held in Daytona Beach, Fla. [Click to enlarge]

The SFA Cheerleaders brought home their sixth consecutive national championship from the NCA National Cheerleading competition in Daytona Beach, Fla., last week.

The SFA team won first place for large coed division I.

"It's an awesome experience for them," Michael Preston, director of student life, said.

The team consists of 26 female and male members. Twenty of the members competed on the floor against five other college cheerleading teams for the title of national champions. Preston said the SFA cheerleading program is rich in the tradition of winning, and it was a big relief that they were still as good as they thought they were.

The cheerleaders were judged on difficulty of the routine, stunts, choreography, cleanliness, excitement factor and overall collegiate image. Their routine also consisted of a dance portion.

"(The cheerleaders) are a symbol of pride," Preston said. "It shows that when it comes down to academics and athletics, SFA is competent and qualified."

SFA cheerleaders began preparing their routine for the competition in January. According to Preston, the process is a yearlong one, starting with cheerleading camp in August.

"It's the coolest thing I get to do every year," he said. "It's cool to see them on a nationwide stage and see them do what no one else can do. It makes you want to be a cheerleader."

Preston also said the cheerleaders scored higher than any major university in Texas, and people from other major universities in Texas, like the University of Texas, transfer to SFA just to be a part of the cheerleading program.

The cheerleading team also took home the ninth place title for the small coed division I.

The SFA cheerleaders will hold tryouts for the fall team on April 25-27 in the HPE complex.

kmaness@thepinelog.com

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