Belmont Cheerleaders Earn Two Top-Five Finishes at the UCA National Championships

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Belmont cheerleading squad posted two top-five finishes in two different divisions as they competed at the 2023 UCA College Cheerleading National Championship last weekend in Orlando, Florida. 
 
"My goal as a coach is to ensure the cheerleaders have the opportunity to reach their full potential as athletes," said Lindsey Wheeley, Belmont's head coach.  "Attending college nationals gives them that opportunity and that is the ultimate "success." The work this team put in and what was accomplished will have a lasting impact on their lives.
 
The squad first competed in the Division I Small Coed Game Day Section.  Their three minute routine included the school's fight song, a situational sideline cheer, and a time-out cheer.  In this division of 24 teams, they finished in fourth place. 
 
The other division they competed in was the Division 1 Small Coed Cheer section.  This featured a 2-minute and 30 second routine the included cheer and elite tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids, and tosses. In this group of 11 teams, they finished fifth. 
 
For more information on this year's championship, go to varsity.com. 
 
Belmont Cheerleaders – Thoughts on Nationals
 
 Mikaela Renaud, Senior
"This weekend meant the world to me, especially after coming back from a shoulder injury and having surgery just before the season started. I was so thankful to be back on the court for games for one more season, but to be able to have made it to the UCA National Finals is more than I could have asked for. These people are more than teammates, they are family. I can't be more thankful to end my cheerleading career with them like we did out on that mat this weekend. It's a moment I will never forget."

Maddie Young, Senior, and Co-Captain
"This weekend means more than just one year of hard work. This weekend means all four years that have been poured into this program paid off. I cannot thank our coaches and alums enough for supporting us, encouraging us, and making this opportunity possible. Go Bruins!"

Kat Kaminski, Senior, Co-Captain 
"There are no words to describe this weekend. This weekend wasn't just shaking our poms and yelling from the side lines. It was months' worth of blood, sweat and tears that all paid off in the end. Every single athlete on our team was fighting through some sort of pain or injury and it was all worth it in the end when we heard our name called in the top five for both divisions that we competed in with the biggest and best names in the collegiate cheerleading world. The love I have for this sport, my teammates and coaches is beyond words!"