BLOG: UCA National Championship 2010 - Day 1

What a great start to the 2010 UCA College Cheerleading National Championship! I am so excited; I can hardly wait for the rest of the weekend. I could feel the anticipation from all the participants today. There were hugs, smiles and hellos everywhere. These collegiate cheerleaders have friends from coast to coast, the ones who staff together, cheered in high school and All Star together, and then those who play each other in football. My day started over at the traditional practice held at UCF and ended at Disney for the partner stunt competition.

The tradition at UCF continues, this year attending the practice was, Tennessee, Ohio State, LSU, Mississippi State and Wallace. These teams have been practicing together on the Friday before nationals for years. Although, there was one new comer to the group, Mississippi State, I overheard their team talking about how much fun they were having and how supportive everyone was. Mississippi State's coach Miguel Sanchez said “They have never really practiced with big programs before, it really built their confidence and they are excited.” As more teams arrived and everyone started performing their routines, the energy in the room kept growing. Lauren Whitt, a senior from UCF said “This is the best way to kick off college nationals, I get so excited to see all of my friends and we love to cheer each other on!” This is the first time most of these teams get to show off their skills to their peers, and show off is what they did. Everyone looked GREAT! I feel as if most people started to get rid of their nerves and have fun with the routine that they have been practicing so hard on. I can't wait to see everyone on Sunday.

I headed straight from UCF to Disney to catch the partner stunt competition. And all I have to say is, WOW! I am glad that I was not a judge. Partner stunts were awesome! There were so many great people out there and I just kept hearing the crowd erupt every time someone did a great skill! I was really impressed by the all girl groups out there! Hofstra did a rewind with only two girls basing! Get it! So many groups were very clean and solid. HPU had many great groups out there! Louisville was solid, and wow was she flexible. But, only one can win and it went to HPU! Savanna, Heather, Lauren and Emily, they were incredible. Their stunts were solid and didn't move; they executed a great laid out rewind. Coed was phenomenal as well, hand to hands were popular this year and they were all solid. We saw lots of new skills that everyone should be very proud of! The coed title went to Tim and Ashley from SFA. Great job to everyone!

Tomorrow will be the all girl, small co-ed and division I & II, ­­­­­I can't wait to see what everyone has in store for 2010. I will keep you posted. Keep checking for pictures and updates on our website, facebook and twitter throughout the weekend.

- Jackie

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