The Cheer Bears finished third at NCA Nationals this past weekend.
NCA Video Footage
BALTIMORE, Md. (April 13, 2009) – The Morgan State University Cheer Bears had an outstanding showing this past Easter weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Cheer Bears were presented with the third place trophy at the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) Collegiate Cheer Championship.
Competing in the All-Girl Intermediate Division the 20-member, all-girl Morgan State Cheer Bears squad took home third place honors with a score of 7.968, behind runner-up Georgia Southern (8.268) and 2009 NCA National Champions the University of Maryland (8.445)
NCA Nationals are the most prestigious Cheerleading Championships in the country. Each year, teams come together to compete for national titles in a variety of levels and divisions. The NCA national championship competition is held annually and teams must meet a myriad of requirements in order to qualify and compete.
“This is a tremendous recognition for our team and for Morgan State University,” said Theresa Gibson, MSU's head cheerleading coach. “To compete against some of the top teams in the country is one thing, but to place as high as we did is a major accomplishment. I am extremely proud of the hard work, dedication and spirit our team showed not only during the competition, but throughout the year.”
During the two-day competition, the team, led by team captain Chelsea Sonpon, a senior from Houston (Texas), was required to perform a two minute, fifteen second-long routine that included stunts, pyramids, a dance, a cheer, tumbling and jumps. Based on its first-day performance, Morgan State entered the finals as the 6th seed. The team clinched third place during the second day championship round. MSU's team includes two seniors, six sophomores and 13 freshmen.
The Cheer Bears' finished in third place finish for the second consecutive season, which also marks the highest placement for a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in the NCA Nationals competition.
“We are very proud of our cheerleaders because they are not only outstanding representatives of our University, but they represent the spirit, pride and tradition of this great institution. This is a great day for Morgan State University,” said Leonard Haynes IV, Director of Sports Information.
The team's routine was choreographed by Ricky Hill, however, after several changes in the team lineup, rearrangements and revisions were made by the team and coaching staff.
NCA & NDA National Championship All-Girl Intermediate Final Results
Place - Team Name - Score
1 University of Maryland - 8.445
2 Georgia Southern University - 8.268
3 Morgan State University - 7.968
4 University of Northern Colorado - 7.934
5 North Carolina State University - 7.907
6 Virginia Commonwealth - 7.891
7 Sam Houston State University - 7.882
7 Iowa State University - 7.882
9 University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill - 7.848
10 Sacred Heart University - 7.674
11 American University - 7.518
12 West Virginia University - 7.500
13 Michigan State University - 7.273
