MT Cheerleaders crowned National Runner Up

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee Cheerleading Squad came home from Daytona Beach, Florida this weekend with a new title - national runner up. Entering the final round of the NCA Collegiate Nationals in sixth place after a bobble and a jewelry deduction in the preliminary round, the Middle Tennessee squad nailed a near-perfect routine in the finals to secure the title of national runner up in the small co-ed division, finishing second only to perennial cheerleading powerhouse, Louisville. This is Middle Tennessee's highest finish in four years of competing at the National Cheerleading Association / Chick-Fil-A Collegiate Nationals. The competition is the largest collegiate championship in the country with over 200 teams competing in 12 divisions. In securing the title of national runner-up, the Blue Raider squad beat out 13 other Division I small co-ed squads from around the United States. The Middle Tennessee squad was a mix of four males and 19 females from the co-ed and all female squads. Members of the team include, Raquel Sosa, Tara Abernathy, Carling Hughes, Lisa VanSickle, Anna Brogden, Christa Jensen, Amy Koelz, Rose Wamback, Alli Bosley, Stacy Bullock, Mindy Shaffer, Kayla Turner, Samantha Rogers, Ashley Sizemore, David Miller, Jennifer Wilson, Joseph O'Field, Tommy Graham, Kaci Dupree and Orry Clayborne. "I'm so proud of what this group of students has accomplished," said Middle Tennessee Head Cheerleading Coach Jonathan Pursley. "We overcame a few minor errors in the early rounds and finished with our strongest routine of the year. This is a shining moment in the history of Middle Tennessee's cheerleading program." The competition is set to air on May 2, 2006 at 2pm CST on Fox Sports Net (check local listings).

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

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