The University of Alabama at Birmingham cheerleaders won fourth place nationally at the Universal Cheerleaders Association/Universal Dance Association College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship competition Saturday, Jan. 17, in Orlando, Florida.
The UAB cheerleaders and UAB Golden Girls dance team left Birmingham on Thursday night after the UAB women’s basketball game. On Saturday, the cheerleaders competed bright and early in semifinals and made it through to finals for the fifth straight year, says UAB spirit coordinator Ryan Martin. They were in sixth place going into finals, then hit a near-perfect routine later that afternoon in finals and moved up two spots to take home fourth place in the Division I – Small Coed group.
“I am extremely proud of this group and all of their hard work this year,” Martin said.
The Golden Girls competed in Division 1A Jazz — arguably the toughest division for dance, Martin says. Although they did not make finals, the team received shout-outs and compliments on its performance.
“It was easily the best routine the Golden Girls have done in the past few years,” Martin said.
Senior cheerleader Cara Crumpton of Hoover says the competition is not about the end result.
“It’s about giving it your all and knowing you did your best, and being satisfied with leaving everything out on the mat. This was my last year competing, and I couldn’t be more proud to have shown off that routine with the team I call my family,” Crumpton said.
Sophomore Golden Girl Bre Richardson of Huntsville says the experience was immeasurable.
“Even though we didn’t get the placing we wanted, all of the hard work leading up to that moment on the stage was worth it,” Richardson said. “I believe we all grew as dancers and teammates.”