The Sam Houston State University All-Girls cheer team can now call themselves national champions after a first place finish at the UCA Nationals in Orlando, FL. on Jan. 13.
The four-member team, which consisted of senior Chelsea Hummel, sophomore Drew Weis, senior Danielle Ferris and senior Brenna Court, hoisted the National Championship trophy in All-Girl Partner Stunt after the team scored an 89.5.
With the championship victory comes national exposure. The UCA Nationals was broadcasted on ESPN3 and the program feels that winning the All-Girls Partner Stunt National Championship will bring more recognition and opportunities to the spirit program as well as the university itself.
“Winning brings recognition to the university and to the program,” coach Brian McColpin said. “With the girls win, it brings marketing to the university and success. It lets people know that we are a successful program and that the university stands behind us. It also helps bring alumni and donors to the campus because they want to support successful programs.”
Orlando was the host site of the UCA Nationals. While in Florida, members of the team felt stress-free environment of calm beaches and cool weather. Ferris believes that the Florida atmosphere played a role in their victory.
“Everything was laid back,” Ferris said. “It was less stressful than I thought it would be and overall it was fun. Everything was relaxed and it felt like we were going into another practice.”
Now that the All-Girls squad is national champions, the team is looking ahead and preparing for their next big competition, which is Team Nationals. Weis thinks that the team’s experience at the UCA Nationals will help them prepare for their next competition.
“We are 100 percent focused on the Team Nationals now,” Weis said. “This win will certainly help us prepare for that competition.”
Hummel also feels that the first place finish in Orlando will help prepare the squad for Team Nationals.
“Getting this win gives us a lot of confidence moving forward,” Hummel said. “We just have to do what we did for the stunt championship and we will be fine.”
The five-day Team Nationals competition will take place in Daytona Beach, FL. starting April 9 at Peabody Auditorium.