Kentucky, Indiana, Minnesota And Cincinnati Earn Top Honors At The National College Cheer And Dance Team Championship

Thirty-third annual event recognizes nation's top college cheerleaders, dancers and mascots

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Jan 16, 2017, 10:42 ET

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, an elite competition produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association and the Universal Dance Association, two Varsity Spirit brands, took place this weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort® in Orlando, Florida. The event hosted more than 4,500 of the country's top college cheerleaders, dancers and mascots from 215 teams.

These teams have spent the greater part of the year on the sidelines cheering on some of the best teams in college sports, and all of their hours of diligence and preparation were highlighted in their performances on the famous competition floor. The event hosted 114 squads in the cheerleading division and 101 teams in the dance team division. Cheerleading teams are judged on their stunting and tumbling skills, crowd-leading abilities and overall performance, while the dance competition is judged on choreography, technique, execution and overall effect. Mascots also competed, with 15 college mascots vying for titles.

"The College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship brings together teams from across the nation to showcase their skills to the rest of the country. These athletes have devoted hundreds of hours to generating spirit on their campuses, leading their crowds at games and pep rallies, and supporting their schools' athletic teams," said Jeff Webb, Founder and Chairman of Varsity Spirit. "It's an honor to host this competition to recognize these dedicated and talented young people."

Varsity Spirit live-streamed the event all weekend on Varsity TV; segments of each performance will be posted next week so fans who missed the event can watch their favorite teams. The competitions will also air on ESPNU and ESPN2 starting in February. Viewers can check their local listings for air times.

The Division 1A Winners included:
Coed Cheer:	University of Kentucky	Jazz:	University of Minnesota
All Girl Cheer:	Indiana University	Pom:	University of Minnesota
Mascot:	University of Minnesota – "Goldy"	Hip Hop:	University of Cincinnati

It's estimated that more than 20,000 spectators from around the United States attended the national championship events, with performances at the HP Field House and J Center at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on the grounds of the Walt Disney World® Resort. Full results are available on Varsity TV.

About Varsity Spirit
Memphis-based Varsity Spirit has been a driving force behind cheerleading's dynamic transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, and the leading global source for all things cheerleading and dance. A division of Varsity Brands, Varsity Spirit is a leader in uniform innovation and educational camps, clinics and competitions, impacting nearly a million athletes each year. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit's 5,000 employees have been helping raise cheerleading's influence and profile since 1974. For more information about Varsity Spirit or Varsity Brands, please visit www.varsity.com or www.varsitybrands.com.

SOURCE Varsity Spirit