Thirty-fourth Annual National High School Cheerleading Championship Attracts Largest Participation In Event History

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of practice, more than 11,000 of the country's top high school cheerleaders competed this weekend in the National High School Cheerleading Championships, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association, a Varsity brand. The prestigious championship, showcasing the country's best high school cheerleaders, took place at the Walt Disney Resort® in Orlando, Fla., from February 8 - 9. New to the competition this year was the Game Day National Championship, where 25 teams competed in a true sideline competition.

These groups have spent months on the sidelines cheering on their high school sporting teams, and all the hours of hard work and preparation was highlighted when each team took the stage. In its 34^th year, the two-day event hosted 11,424 cheerleaders from 560 teams across 30 states. The cheerleading teams were judged on their stunting and tumbling skills, crowd-leading abilities and overall performance.  Teams competing in the championship had to qualify at a regional event in order to participate.

Varsity 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 March 22. Viewers can check their local listings for air times.

The Large Division Winners (17 – 20 members) included:

• Large Varsity Division 1 (>1,600 school enrollments):      Hagerty High School – Oviedo, Fla.
• Large Varsity Division 2 (<1,599 school enrollments):      Mount Sinai High School – Mt. Sinai, N.Y.
• Large Varsity Coed:         Dyer County High School – Newbern, Tenn.

The Super Division Winners (21 – 30 members) included:

• Super Varsity Division 1 (>1,600 school enrollments):     Westlake High School – Austin, Texas
• Super Varsity Division 2 (<1,599 school enrollments):     James Clemens High School – Madison, Ala.

Game Day Winners included:

• Large Varsity (17 – 20 members) Game Day: Vandebilt Catholic High School – Houma, La.
• Super Varsity (21 – 30 members) Game Day: Arlington High School – Arlington, Tenn.

More than 18,000 spectators attended the national championship event, with performances at three different venues within the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and one stage at Hollywood Studios, all on the grounds Walt Disney World Resort.

The Universal Cheerleaders Association is dedicated to the safe and responsible practice of cheerleading, and all teams participating in the National High School Cheerleading Championships comply with the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators safety guidelines.

About Varsity
Varsity 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 Walt 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, Tennessee, the organization employs 5,000 employees nationwide.  For more information about Varsity, please visit www.varsity.com.

SOURCE Varsity