DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Carson-Newman cheerleading team finished sixth in the nation on Friday afternoon at the annual National Cheerleader Association and National Dance Association Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship.
"We have worked so hard this year," Carson-Newman cheerleading coach Christy Bowlin said. "We set our goals this year and exceeded them, we surprised ourselves by making it to nationals. We lived up to our team motto of "I can, I will."
This marks Carson-Newman's first top-10 finish at nationals since the 1990s. There were a total of 353 teams competing at this year's championships. The Eagles competed in the intermediate small college co-ed Division II group with 23 other teams.
"We all competed so well together and our team captain LeShawn Walker (Greenville, Tenn.) kept the team energized throughout the competition," Bowlin said.
The five teams that finished ahead of Carson-Newman were Lindenwood University, University of Texas-Dallas, McKendree, Valdosta State and Shorter took home the top spot.
Upcoming tryouts for next year's spirit squad will be held April 21-23.