Tide + Tigers shine at UCA national championships
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It was a busy weekend in Orlando as cheer teams from across the country came together to compete in seven different divisions with national titles on the line.
Several schools from our state were represented throughout the competition and they all made the most of their time on the big stage. Some of the top performances included:
- Alabama, Co-ed Division IA: 1st place, national champions
- Shelton State, Open Co-ed finals: 1st place, national champions
- Alabama, All Girl Division IA: 2nd place
- Coastal Alabama CC, Open Small Co-ed Gameday: 2nd place
- Auburn, Mascot Division IA: 3rd place
Keep reading to learn more about all the competitions and how squads from around Alabama performed.
Alabama cheer
The Crimson Tide created plenty of cause for celebration, as the team’s performance in the final round of the Cheer Division IA Co-Ed Championship cemented its status as national champions. Alabama posted a 94.8 raw score in the event’s final round, narrowly topping South Florida and the Bulls’ final tally of 94.6.
The national championship stands as the Tide’s seventh in program history, and its first co-ed title since 2015.
“For the Co-Ed team, this makes their fourth title, so it’s been 10 years since this team has won it. We’ve come so close, but this competition is tough. It’s gratifying to see these athletes work so hard to represent their university in a positive way and then have the reward of winning a championship!”
~ Jennifer Thrasher, the UA Director of Spirit Programs
In the All Girl Division IA competition, Alabama added a runner-up standing following a score of 90.9. Including Sunday’s second place finish, the Tide have closed no worse than third in the All Girl competition in each of its past five championship appearances.
The Tide spirit squads also advanced to the championship rounds in the Division IA Mascot, Game Day Dance, and Jazz portions of the 2025 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship.
Alabama’s 89.8 in the final round of the Division IA Mascot garnered a fifth-place finish, while the Tide’s 91.9 in the Division IA Jazz event was good for sixth. Alabama added a seventh place standing in the Division IA Game Day Dance competition with a team score of 92.1.
Aubie takes home another trophy
After winning the national championship in 2024, Aubie fell just short of a repeat title but still walked out with a third-place trophy.
The Auburn mascot team scored a 92.44 raw score without any deductions, finishing exactly one point off champion Cincinnati and less than a point behind second-place Tennessee. Those are the same three mascots to finish in the top three last season.
Aubie has 11 UCA national championships to its name already.
Shelton State wins again
The Shelton State cheerleading squad captured its 14th national championship at the 2025 UCA Open Coed Division at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this weekend.
Shelton State won 13 consecutive National Championships from 2008-2020. This is their first return to the top since that run.
“This team was a Cinderella story. At the beginning of the year, we almost didn’t have enough athletes to compete at nationals. They truly bought in to the process from day one. Our mindset taking the floor was ‘no fear, all trust’ and they did exactly that. We couldn’t be more proud of every single athlete on this team!”
~ Riley and Bethany Fowler, co-head coaches
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