Georgia Southern University Cheerleaders Win Prestigious National Title; Claim University’s First National Cheerleading Championship

April 15, 2008

Georgia! Southern! That’s what Georgia Southern University cheerleaders and crowd were chanting as the team was presented with the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) Collegiate Cheer Championship trophy this past weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Competing in the All-Girl Intermediate Division against teams including the University of Georgia, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the University of Florida, the 17-member, all-girl Georgia Southern University squad took home top honors and a national championship trophy with a score of 8.256.

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 Georgia Southern University,” said Barry Munkasy, cheerleading coach at Georgia Southern University cheerleaders. ‘To compete against some of the top teams in the country is one thing, but to win 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 Jessica Armstrong, a junior from Glennville, Ga., 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, Georgia Southern University entered the finals as the top seed. The team, which consists of nine members who participated as Eagle cheerleaders for the first time during this past year, clinched the title during the second day championship round. Georgia Southern’s winning team includes three juniors, eight sophomores and six freshmen.

‘The entire team worked really hard to prepare for the competition and we hope this is the first of many more to come,” said Armstrong who is a Child and Family Development major at Georgia Southern University. ‘We are just very proud to be able to bring home the first national cheerleading title for Georgia Southern University.”

The cheerleaders’ championship is the newest addition to a string of national titles for Georgia Southern University.

‘While we have a host of national titles, this is the first cheerleading championship for Georgia Southern University,” said Bruce Grube, president of Georgia Southern University. ‘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 Georgia Southern University.”

Final scoring results: http://www.varsity.com/uploads/pdfs/nca/cn/agi.pdf

The team’s routine was choreographed by Chris White and Chelsie Mitchel of Stingray All-Stars in Kennesaw, Ga. Additional support throughout the year was provided by Keyshia Brunson of Cheer South All Stars here in Statesboro and Shandy Ellis-Brown of Clarksville (TN) Extreme All-Stars.

Championship Trophy Ceremony
President Bruce Grube along with Dr. Teresa Thompson, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management will recognize the team during an official ceremony on Thursday, April 17.

When: Thursday, April 17 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: On the steps of Marvin-Pittman Administration Building on Sweetheart Circle.

The public is invited to attend.

Georgia Southern University
National Championship Team Members

Ashton Speegle
Bethany Burton
Brittany Woody
Brooke Gardiner
Cara Griffin
Caroline Kenrick
Cassi Hobby
Catherine Kimbrel
Janee Demery
Jessica Armstrong
Katherine Pate
Kayla Wheatley
Staci Nemecek
Stefani Smith
Terronique Brown
Tonya Wright
Victoria Strickland

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 120 degree programs serving nearly 17,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.