The Alabama spirit squads competed at the Universal Cheer Association national championships and placed in the top 10 in all categories, earning one national title.
The spirit program includes both the all-girls cheer team and the co-ed cheer team, as well as the dance team and Big Al.
The all-girls cheer team placed first overall in the All-Girl Division 1A finals with a score of 93.5, bringing home the eighth national championship title in the spirit squad’s history and the first title for the all-girls team in four years.
“Their ability to stay composed and perform the way they did on the national stage is such a testament to their preparation and commitment. Not a single member of this team had won a national title in their time at Alabama, so it was really special for these seniors to go out on top,” director of spirit programs Jennifer Thrasher said.
Second place in the D1A All-Girls event went to South Florida, which finished with a score of 89.6, leaving almost a four-point gap between the two.
Alabama’s co-ed cheer team went into the Co-Ed Division 1A finals as the reigning champions and came out fourth with a final score of 87.1.
“The culture of the team is like family,” freshman co-ed team member Elissa Mitchell said. “We stuck together this entire year and just got closer and closer. Teams like this are hard to come by.”
The Crimson Tide dance team finished in third place in Division 1A gameday dance finals with a score of 90.81 and ended in ninth place in D1A jazz with a score of 90.51.
Big Al competed in the Division 1A mascot competition with an adventure safari skit featuring pop culture moments from the last few years. He finished seventh overall with a final score of 89.48.
“Every team in our program finishing in the top 10 nationally is a reflection of the standard of excellence across our entire spirit program,” Thrasher said.
