ECU Cheer Team Earns Top-10 Finish at NCA College Nationals in Daytona
DAYTONA, Florida – East Central University's cheer team returned to the national stage this spring, competing at the prestigious NCA College Nationals held April 8-11 in Daytona Beach. The appearance marked a significant milestone for the program, which had not competed at nationals since 2012.
The Tigers competed in the Division II Spirit Rally category against some of the top collegiate cheer programs in the country. More than 400 teams from junior colleges through NCAA Division I programs participated in the national event.
ECU performed twice during the competition week, beginning on Thursday, April 9, inside the Ocean Center, and again Saturday, April 11, at the iconic Daytona Bandshell.
During the preliminary round, the Tigers delivered a "hit zero" performance, meaning the routine was completed without deductions for mistakes or falls. The clean routine helped ECU advance through the competition and showcased the team's preparation and execution on the national stage.
The team ultimately earned an eighth-place finish out of 13 teams in the DII Spirit Rally division. The category is designed to showcase the atmosphere and traditions of a collegiate game day experience. Teams are required to perform a cheer, band chant and band dance while incorporating poms, flags, megaphones and stunts into their routine.
For the ECU cheer program, the trip represented both a competitive achievement and a return to one of the sport's biggest stages. Competing at nationals gave the team the opportunity to perform alongside elite programs from across the nation while representing East Central University in front of a national audience.
