Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Stephen F. Austin State University Spirit Teams traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, for the National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance national championships, where they garnered first-, second- and third-place finishes.
The spirit programs are led by T.J. Maple, an adjunct professor in kinesiology.
“Proud is an understatement for the amount of hard work, sacrifices and selflessness these student athletes put in for our university,” Maple said. “They spend their entire year cheering on every other sport, making appearances and staying involved with the community, so to see them shine on the national’s stage is pure joy.”
This is the 30th year SFA has competed in these events. The teams’ NCA participation resulted in the following wins:
Division I Spirit Rally National Champions
Innovative Choreography Awards in Team Performance, Pom and Spirit Rally
Division I Pom Dance – Second Place
Division I Team Performance Dance – Third Place
Division I Small Coed Cheer – Second Place
The dance team was invited to the Dance Team Union Collegiate National Invitational Competition and had the following placements:
Division I Pom National Champions
Division I Hip Hop Dance National Champions
Division I Spirit Showdown – Second Place
Pom Battle Champions