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Nikeisha Mitchell
Issue date: 2/10/06 Section: Campus News
ULM Cheerleaders recently showed that they have what it takes to be champions.
The squad placed second Jan. 13 in nationals at the Universal Cheerleaders Associations' College National Championship in Orlando.
Fifteen squads competed in the Small Co-Ed Division category, but the ULM cheerleaders came in second over thirteen other squads.
The cheerleders compete in one national championship a year. The next one is scheduled for January 2007.
"The squad had many problems, but we overcame a lot," said sophomore cheerleader Kristen Gordey. "We had lots of new people, and we had to start preparing around the middle of September, but in the end it was all worth it."
The ULM cheerleaders have 16 members in their competition squad: 12 female and four male with four alternates.
Members of the team include Nathan LeCloux, captain; Tifany Coker, captain; Kyle Sullivan; Larry Rivers; Steve Martinez; Keleigh Bounds; Brianne Atkins; Jessica Huskey; Audrey Melton; Lori Chervanak; Bethany Towns; Ashley Springfield; Amy Pellerin; Hayle Burrow; and Casey Olin.
Coaches include Jennifer Sword and Nick Gaspard.
"We had only six returning members on our competition team, and the remaining were freshmen," Sword said. "They worked very hard and came together as a strong team. They represented ULM very well and will be a top contender in the upcoming years."
Sullivan, former football player and first-year cheerleader, said, "We practiced all semester, and it took alot of work and sacrifice, but it all paid off. It was very fun, too, despite the long ride.
"It was a lot different from football," Sullivan said. "We couldn't slack off; we had to step up and do what we had to do."
The squad placed second Jan. 13 in nationals at the Universal Cheerleaders Associations' College National Championship in Orlando.
Fifteen squads competed in the Small Co-Ed Division category, but the ULM cheerleaders came in second over thirteen other squads.
The cheerleders compete in one national championship a year. The next one is scheduled for January 2007.
"The squad had many problems, but we overcame a lot," said sophomore cheerleader Kristen Gordey. "We had lots of new people, and we had to start preparing around the middle of September, but in the end it was all worth it."
The ULM cheerleaders have 16 members in their competition squad: 12 female and four male with four alternates.
Members of the team include Nathan LeCloux, captain; Tifany Coker, captain; Kyle Sullivan; Larry Rivers; Steve Martinez; Keleigh Bounds; Brianne Atkins; Jessica Huskey; Audrey Melton; Lori Chervanak; Bethany Towns; Ashley Springfield; Amy Pellerin; Hayle Burrow; and Casey Olin.
Coaches include Jennifer Sword and Nick Gaspard.
"We had only six returning members on our competition team, and the remaining were freshmen," Sword said. "They worked very hard and came together as a strong team. They represented ULM very well and will be a top contender in the upcoming years."
Sullivan, former football player and first-year cheerleader, said, "We practiced all semester, and it took alot of work and sacrifice, but it all paid off. It was very fun, too, despite the long ride.
"It was a lot different from football," Sullivan said. "We couldn't slack off; we had to step up and do what we had to do."