The University of Alabama Takes Top Titles At The National College Cheer And Dance Team Championship

Nation's top teams competed in 31st annual event

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Jan 19, 2015, 04:15 ET

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The College Cheer and Dance Team National Championship, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association and the Universal Dance Association, two Varsity Spirit brands, took place this weekend and hosted competitors from more than 4,000 of the country's top college cheerleaders and dancers from 192 teams. The prestigious competition, showcasing the country's best college cheerleaders, dance team performers and mascots, was held at the Walt Disney World Resort® in Orlando, Florida, from Jan. 16 - 18.

Division 1A winners included Coed Cheer - University of Alabama

These groups 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 hard work and preparation were highlighted in their performances on the infamous Disney stages. In its 31^st year, the two-day event hosted 106 squads in the cheerleading division and 86 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 10 mascots vying for the title. All teams are classified according to NCAA classification.

Varsity Spirit will be posting segments of each performance on www.varsity.com so fans around the world 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 Alabama	Jazz:	University of Tennessee
All Girl Cheer:	University of Alabama	Hip Hop:	University of Cincinnati
Mascot:	Ohio State University –"Brutus Buckeye"	Pom:	University of Minnesota

It's estimated that more than 7,000 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.

About Varsity Spirit
Varsity Spirit is the source for all things cheerleading and dance. Founded in 1974, the organization has become an innovative global leader comprised of top spirit brands and organizations. Varsity is a leader in uniform innovation, and more than 350,000 cheerleaders and dancers attend Varsity educational camps and clinics per year. Varsity's National Cheer and Dance Championships, many of which are held at the Walk Disney World Resorts®, have been televised on ESPN Networks for more than 25 years. Leading the way in cheerleading safety, Varsity has been an avid supporter of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators since 1987. Based in Memphis, Tenn., the organization employs 5,000 nationwide. For more information about Varsity, please visit www.varsity.com.

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SOURCE Varsity Spirit