UCA partner stunts champions

SFA seniors Alec Heffron of Emporia, Kan., and Alli Pagnotta of Canyon County, Calif., placed first in the Universal Cheerleaders Association national championships on Jan. 13 in Orlando, Fla. The SFA Spirit Teams' routines for nationals will be showcased at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 30, in William R. Johnson Coliseum.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Spirit Program kept up its winning tradition at the annual Universal Cheerleaders Association national championships in January in Orlando, Fla.

Two couples participated in the competition, with both teams placing in the top 10 national spots. SFA senior Alec Heffron of Emporia, Kan., and Alli Pagnotta from Canyon County, Calif., placed first in the completion. Also competing were seniors Dustin Moore of Hoover, Ala., and Missy Bolman from Colorado Springs, Colo., who placed 12th.

The UCA competition is considered the primary tune-up for the SFA Spirit Program as students prepare for the National Cheerleaders Association competition at Daytona Beach in April. Since 1994 the program has won more team championships than any other team in its division and has had 10 different couples win partner stunt national championships.

Viewers can catch the SFA Spirit Teams in action this spring at SFA basketball games. The routines for nationals will be showcased at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 30, at William R. Johnson Coliseum. For more information, call Trisha O'Connor, SFA spirit coordinator, at (936) 468-1604.