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