Competitive Cheerleading Takes Third Place at NCA Collegiate National Championship

By Danielle Percival: Assistant A.D. of Communications

4/12/2023 3:45:00 PM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Piedmont University competitive cheerleading team earned third place at the NCA Collegiate National Championship Friday in their first opportunity competing at nationals. The Lions competed in the Division III All-girl Intermediate category.

Prelims were on Thursday and the Lions sat in fourth place with a raw score of 83.97 with 1.5 deductions. Prelims count as 25% of your event score while Finals count as 75% of your event score.

Friday marked finals and Piedmont was able to raise its raw score to 84.53 with zero deductions. The final overall event score for Piedmont was 93.3935, which brought them to a third-place finish, a mere 0.4 points away from second place.

Head Coach Cristen Rabern stated the team excelled in the areas of execution, choreography, and overall effect of the routine, scoring the highest of anyone in Piedmont's division both days in execution of stunts and choreography.

"I could not be prouder of the work these girls have done this season," Head Coach Cristen Rabern said. "Watching their routine in Finals was truly an amazing experience. Their energy, confidence, and excitement were off the chart and the judges definitely took notice.

Being able to "hit zero" (receive 0 deductions) on Friday was an incredible feat. That means that we did what we came to do and put our very best routine on the mat.

Head Coach Cristen Rabern

I also want to give credit to all the family and friends who traveled to Daytona to support us. We had an unmatched cheering section, and that helped the girls perform their best, and for that I am truly grateful. This competition really lit a fire under us, and we are ready to get started on next season and come back for the title!

Head Coach Cristen Rabern

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