McKendree wins two National Championships in Cheerleading

    Daytona Beach, Florida — The McKendree University cheer program took three teams to the NCA College Nationals from April 8th-11th in Daytona Beach, Florida, with all placing within the top three, as two finished as national champions.
    These are the program’s first two national championship titles since competing in the event.
    McKendree’s Advanced Large Coed squad for Division II was one of two national champions, as they began day one with a 78.77 to sit at second after prelims for 25% of their final score and ended with an 83.67 day two score, counting for 75% of the final score.
    That came out to an 82.44 score to secure the national crown, beating out Montclair State University and Columbus State University.
    With the Large Coed winning their division, they got to compete in the Grand Championships against all other division winners for Large Coed, which consisted of Weber State University, Texas Tech University, Westcliff University, and Trinity Valley Community College.
    The other national champion contained the Advanced Small Coed group for Division II.
    They scored an 85.68 in day one after prelims for 25%, making it the first time ever sitting in first place after day one, as they rounded out day two with an 87.53 output for 75% to score a final of 87.07 to clinch the national title.
    The team bested both Davenport University and the University of West Florida.
    Like the Advanced Large Coeds, the Small Advanced Coeds also earned a spot in the Grand Championships against the other division winners, which contained Weber State, Texas Tech, Elmira College, and Trinity Valley.
    The Bearcats rounded out their time in the Orlando region with their Intermediate Large Coed group in Division II, as they tallied an 82.79 score on day one after prelims for 25%.
    They performed an 81.30 on day two for 75% to reach a final score of 81.66 to give them a second-place nod in the division behind only the University of Texas at Tyler, but ranking ahead of Millikin University.
    “This was a huge moment for our program for winning not one, but two of our first-ever national championships, as well as competing a third team for the first time in history and placing second in that division,” said McKendree head coach Zach Mittman. “I am beyond proud of our whole team, as all the hard work, adversity, and ups and downs were worth it all in the end. I want to give a huge thank you to all of my assistants– Emilie, Kiana, Blake, Bianca, Derrick, and Angie for all they do because without them, we would not have been able to make history as we did. Another huge shout-out to all of our alumni near and far for all the support they have given us this season, as well as all the athletes’ families and supporters who have been there for our program. This is only the beginning for the program. I am beyond excited for the rise of the program and hoping for continued success for years to come.”