MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Morehead State Cheerleading program looks to continue its winning tradition when the Eagles head to Orlando, Fla., for the 2012 Universal Cheerleaders Associations' (UCA) College Cheerleading National Team Championship this weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort.
“These kids have put in lots of hard work,” said Head Coach
Bill Mayo. “We have practiced eight hours a day, seven days a week pretty much since early December, so it’s been a long few months. Wetherby Gym and Laughlin Gym have heard more cheer music than they ever want to hear. We’ve all had lots of performances. We’ve performed phenomenally in Northern Kentucky, at our own showcase, and at NKU, so we’re ready. We’re 100 percent ready to go down there and represent our tradition.”
The Eagles have three opportunities to bring back hardware, as both the coed and all-girl squads will be competing, along with the four-person partner stunt all-girl team.
The partner stunt all-girl championships will take place on Friday evening, Jan. 13, while the all-girl Division I semi-finals and finals and the coed cheer Division I finals conclude on Saturday, Jan. 14.
“Morehead State University has been blessed with a cheerleading program that is nationally recognized as one of the very best,” said Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs
Darian Westerfield, who oversees the cheerleading program. “This reputation has been earned from decades of focus and poise from our numerous alumni, while preparing for and competing on the mat. Our Eagle teams have not only influenced other collegiate and high school programs, but have had influence across the globe.
"I am constantly in awe of the dedication and talent that our team has displayed in their preparation for this and I am excited to see both teams compete as the reigning national champions," Westerfield continued. "Coach Mayo has provided the leadership that this great program expects, and our veterans have helped push our team in continuing to achieve success on and off of the mat.”
The MSU Cheerleading program has produced 30 national championships in its history, including bringing home a school-record three titles last season. In 2011, Morehead State swept both the all-girl and coed team championships, as well as winning the partner stunt all-girl team championship. The coed squad leads the program with 19 titles, followed by eight all-girl titles, two all-girl stunt titles and one co-ed stunt championship.
