A group of 16 cheerleaders from UT Dallas placed second in the All-Girl Intermediate II division of this year’s National Cheerleader Association/National Dance Association championships.
It is only the third time the team has competed at the national level. UT Dallas placed third in 2008.
The competition, held April 7-11 in Daytona Beach, Fla., is the oldest, largest and most prestigious college cheerleading and dance contest in the United States. A team must receive a bid at a summer camp to qualify for the event.
“After finishing third in the competition two years ago and second this year, logically the next move would be to first,” said David Clark, the team’s coach. “I’m proud of the team and their hard work, and considering the program is only 8 years old, this is a great accomplishment.”
For the contest, each team is required to perform a two-minute all-music routine. The cheerleaders were scored on tumbling, stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, jumps, motions/dance, showmanship, use of floor, choreography and collegiate image.
Tryout clinics for the 2010-11 cheerleading squad will be Wednesday, April 21, at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 24, at 3 p.m., and Monday, April 26, at 7 p.m., in the auxiliary gym of the Activity Center. For more information, contact David Clark.