News Release
Seventh Wonder
WilmU cheerleaders capture 7th straight UCA Small Coed Division II national championship
The streak is alive and well for Wilmington University's cheerleaders. They captured their seventh consecutive national championship on January 13 while competing in the 2018 Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) Small Coed Division II competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
The Wildcats first broke through and won a national championship in 2012 and haven't wavered since. For the second year in a row, they needed to advance through a preliminary round and place in the top six teams before performing the routine again for the national championship.
It wasn't an issue for the Wildcats. The defending champions defeated Drury University, Kutztown University, St. Edward's University, San Francisco State University, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to once again claim the top spot.
The competition started on Friday, as a pair of stunt groups qualified to compete at the national championships as well.
The partner stunt duo of Wendy Mayerson and Jona Marrero qualified as one of 15 pairs to earn an invitation. The two finished 12th overall at the competition, as teams from Sam Houston State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Central Florida finished in the top three, respectively.
The all-girl stunt group of Kristen Basquill, Maranda Moreland, MaKayla Moreland, and Ciana Perez qualified seventh overall out of the 12 groups invited after their entry tapes were reviewed. Two teams from the University of West Georgia finished in the top two, while a group from the University of Louisville finished third in the all-girls stunt group event.
A review of the 2018 Universal Cheerleading Association and Universal Dance Association's national championships will be aired on the ESPN network's channels in the upcoming weeks.
--Dan Lauletta
Coordinator of Sports Information
Wilmington University Athletics Department
(302) 356-2020
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, non-profit institution committed to providing career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. The Wilmington University difference starts with our flexible, year-round class schedules, full online learning capabilities, and one of the lowest tuitions in the tri-state region. Combined with our intense focus on academic excellence and individualized attention to our students in our degree and certificate programs, the WilmU difference is reflected in our students' achievements and our alumni's successes. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit www.wilmu.edu.
