Nashanta Ellerbe was selected to the MEAC All-Star Team.
RICHMOND, VA – Over the past couple of seasons, the Morgan State University Cheerleaders have been recognized as one of the top cheerleading institutions in the nation, primarily among other historically Black institutions. On Saturday, March 13, 2004, the MSU Cheerleaders successfully defended their sixth consecutive All-Girl Cheer title in the Tenth Annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coca-Cola Cheerleading Championship, held at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond, Va.
The MSU squad finished in second place behind newly minted MEAC Grand Champions North Carolina A&T, while Norfolk State finished third. MSU, the three-time MEAC Grand Champions, were upset by A&T by one point in the overall performance results.
Six cheer squads participated in the competition (4 All-Girl Squads, 2 Co-ed Squads) that required the performance of a combination of stunting, dancing and gymnastics. Squad members NaShanta Ellerbe (Columbia, MD) and Danielle Scott (Charles Town, WV), respectively, were selected to the MEAC All-Star Team for their all-around performances.
Coach Theresa Gibson stated, “North Carolina A&T executed their routine a little bit better than we did, but enough for a first place finish. Our ladies performed well, but they have performed better. Although we had certain flaws that I noticed, as well as the judges, our difficulty surpassed every other routine. We don’t want to take anything away from A&T’s performance, they did a fantastic job.”
Prior to the MEAC Championship the Lady Bears displayed their talents and skills when they captured the Ace American Cheer Express Harbor Classic at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. It was the second time the ladies walked away with the title.
"Our routine was more complicated than North Carolina A&T’s, but it wasn’t as clean," said Assistant Coach Kimberly Ross-Watkins. "We bobbled a stunt toward the end of our performance and that was probably the difference between first place and second place."
"It was a learning experience for our young ladies to work harder and prepare for upcoming competitions.”
The Lady Bears will compete in the HBCU Cheerleader and Dance Championships to be held Saturday, March 20th in Nashville, Tennessee.
“We will meet A&T again this weekend at the national competition,” said Gibson. “Hopefully our ladies will perform the routines the way they were meant to be performed.”
Complete Results:
All-Stars
1st Place – Jamila Chambers (Hampton); Mercia Blount (Norfolk State)
2nd Place – Danielle Scott (Morgan State)
3rd Place – Nashanta Ellerbe (Morgan State)
All-Girls
1st Place – Morgan State University
2nd Place – Hampton University
3rd Place – Coppin State College
Co-ed
1st Place – North Carolina A&T University
2nd Place – Norfolk State University
Overall
1st Place – North Carolina A&T University
2nd Place – Morgan State University
3rd Place – Norfolk State University
