The University of the Cumberlands (UC) cheerleading squad competed in the first ever NAIA Mid-South Spirit Invitational in Rome, GA on February 12, 2011 where they took first place and received a bid to the National Cheer Association (NCA) Nationals. The NCA Nationals will be held in Daytona Beach, FL on April 6^th through the 10^th.

The Mid-South Spirit Invitational is a regional qualifying event to receive bids to nationals. The UC cheerleading squad received a silver bid, which is a partial paid trip to the National competition. UC competed in the Small Co-ed division, which consists of squads of twenty with a maximum of four males.

Normally the squads are allotted a two and half minute dance routine, but the routine for this competition had to be two minutes and 15 seconds. Each squad in the competition had to perform a combination of cheer, dance, tumbling, and stunting in their routine. UC performed a NCA style routine which consisted of a 45 second game day cheer, then immediately followed by a two minute and 15 second dance routine to music.

"The team has worked extremely hard these last few weeks to get prepared for the competition and I feel that they performed well," said UC's Head Cheer Coach Beth Wooley. "I couldn't be more proud of them all!"

The University of the Cumberlands cheer squad is now preparing for the Mid-South Conference Cheerleading Championships that will be held in Frankfort, Kentucky on March 2, 2011 in conjunction with the Mid-South Conference Basketball Tournament.

Article Provided by Jessica Robinson, University of the Cumberlands Sports Information Student Assistant