ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan cheerleading team continued its string of success in the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer & Dance Championship with two national titles on Saturday (April 10). U-M competed in the Virtual Collegiate section and emerged victorious in the Intermediate Small Coed Division IA and Game Day competitions.
Canceled in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, NCA cheer nationals offered virtual divisions this year for teams that were unable to attend the live event in Daytona Beach, Fla. Judging was conducted virtually, with teams submitting recorded video of their routines. Teams received feedback on their prelims videos in March and submitted a finals video in April. Finals were judged on Thursday (April 8), and the results were announced Saturday.
The two championships give Michigan a total of eight NCA titles since 2013. During that span, the Wolverines have won six Intermediate Coed Division IA titles, with four straight 2013-16 and another in 2019 prior to this year. The two Game Day victories came in 2019 and 2021.
"The entire team showed up at my house after we found out that we won, with all their cars lining the street in front," said head cheer coach Pam St. John. "The whole team singing 'Hail to the Victors' in front of my house was the best thing that has ever happened to me in my coaching career."
In the Intermediate Small Coed (1-4 male participants) division, Michigan received a finals score of 95 to top Akron (94.0333) and Kansas State (92.3333). U-M improved its score from prelims (90.7667) by more than four points.
The Game Day finals were extremely close, with only .0333 separating the Wolverines (95.4333) and runner-up North Texas (95.4000), followed by North Carolina State (93.9333), Clemson (93.6333) and Tarleton State (85.8333). The U-M cheer team was joined by members of the Michigan Marching Band in the Game Day competition.
Q U O T E S
"This entire experience has been so surreal. For a while we weren't even sure that we would have a season, and when we did begin practice we compressed what is usually six months of preparation into a six-week period. With all of the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, we are extremely grateful to have been supported by Michigan Athletics. After all the sacrifices we made and hardships we endured, it is so rewarding for it to pay off with a double national championship win! Go Blue!" -- Zoie Jones, sophom*ore, Game Day captain
"Seeing everyone push and elevate themselves to a higher level was just an amazing experience. Both teams overcame so many tough obstacles this year, but at the end of the day, they focused and did what they needed to for the win. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of such a great team." -- Riley Maher, senior, Game Day captain
"This year has been beyond special to me. Obviously, we knew that signing up to participate in the 2020-21 season was not going to be easy, but our team is what made it possible. It has been so inspiring to be surrounded by such motivated, determined and relentless people who have pushed through the most tiresome obstacles to continue fighting for something we all love to do. I am so proud of every single person on this team. We have worked so hard and it's an amazing feeling to witness all of the effort pay off. I am beyond fortunate to have been a part of such a tightly knit group of people for the past four years of my life. They have made my college experience one that I will never forget. My teammates, coaches and training staff shaped me into the individual I am today, and I am so happy to have been alongside them every step of the way. This win is such an amazing final culmination of all of the blood, sweat and tears we've put in not only this season, but every previous one as well. I will always remember this 2020-21 team and the memories we have made. FOREVER GO BLUE!" -- Nathan Grodman, senior, Coed captain
"This year set the tone for just how tough this team is. Through it all, our teammates trusted each other, the coaching staff, the importance of staying in our COVID-free cheer bubble, and our commitment to putting in 110% effort each day at practice. Due to the adversity we faced as a team, this year's two national champion titles mean more to me than I could have ever imaged. It's been an honor to help lead this talented team to another victory. It truly reflects that 'Those who stay will be champions.' Go Blue!" -- Pilar Burgess, senior
"I still remember the day last year when all of us got called in to Cliff Keen Arena to be told that NCA Nationals was canceled -- just days before we would be leaving for Daytona. It was a wonderful surprise to be invited back this year to compete, along with some other amazing Michigan Flags. When the second-place team was announced on Saturday and we still had not heard our name, I could not stop BEAMING, and there was definitely some yelling. Our win just goes to show the Michigan Difference, and that our efforts -- both to bring it on and to stay safe -- were all worth it. GO BLUE!" -- Olivia Davis, Flag Team
"It has been an incredible honor to coach such amazing and dedicated students. Each of them has gone above and beyond to make this crazy season a success. I cannot thank them and the other coaches and instructors enough! It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!" -- Joan Noble-Pruitt, assistant coach
"I'm so happy for our students to receive this recognition of their outstanding work, dedication and sacrifice throughout the season. The bond between each of our programs is stronger than ever thanks to the spirit of family and community fostered by Coach Pam St. John and each of the assistant coaches. It's an honor to have been a small part of it." -- Richard Frey, associate director, Michigan Marching Band
