April 14, 2008
The University of Louisville spirit groups won three national championships last weekend at the National Cheerleading Association/National Dance Alliance last weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla.
"Our student-athletes rose to the occasion and handled the pressure despite being the team to beat," said Spirit Coordinator Todd Sharp. "The pressure is unreal and this was one of the most competitive championships yet."
The U of L Ladybirds Dance Team won their second consecutive National Championship. The Co-Ed Squad won their sixth straight crown with the Small Co-Ed Squad regaining their title from two years ago. The All-Girl squad finished third. All four squads entered the championship ranked No. 1.
"It was a dream come true," said Sharp. "We work year round on this and we were the dominant program on every level. I am so proud of this program."
Out of over 250 teams and two preliminary rounds the final rankings were are follows:
Division 1A Dance: National Champion- Louisville 2nd Place- BYU 3rd Place- Ohio State 4th Place- Rutgers 5th Place- North Carolina Chapel Hill
Division 1A Coed Cheer: National Champion- Louisville 2nd Place- Oklahoma State 3rd Place- North Carolina State 4th Place- South Carolina 5th Place- University of Texas
Division 1 Small Coed Cheer: National Champion- Louisville 2nd Place- Southern Methodist University 3rd Place- Oklahoma State 4th Place- Clemson 5th Place- Texas Tech
Division 1 All Girl Cheer: National Champion- Maryland 2nd Place- Ohio State 3rd Place- Louisville 4th Place- Kennesaw State 5th Place- North Carolina State
National Champion - Louisville
2nd Place- BYU
3rd Place- Ohio State
4th Place- Rutgers
5th Place- North Carolina Chapel Hill