ORLANDO, Fla.—The University of Hawai'i cheerleading team finished in seventh place at the Universal Cheerleaders Association Collegiate National Championships at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Milk House in Orlando, Fla. this past Sunday.

Hawai'i, a team that has built a reputation of being one of the most innovative and dynamic squads in the nation, moved up one spot from last year's eighth place finish at the Championships. The 'Bows entered the competition as the number one squad from the Division IA West.

 

“We are very excited about improving our ranking a notch from last year (from eighth to seventh),” said head coach Mike Baker. “The team was asked to make major changes to the routine all the way up until the time they hit the floor. The main skills from the routine had been sent in by video in December and if there are any problems with the skills, the rules committee makes sure things fall within the guidelines provided. However, one of our skills had made it through the video process, but while down in Florida, the team was asked to make some adjustments. In the minutes just before hitting the mat, the squad was going over new counts and new routes to their next skill and even last second changes to our music.”

 

Baker continues, “The team, however, handled the changes with grace and determination and pulled even closer during the process. The UCA does a great job with the national championships and we've been attending for over 20 years now. They continue to be the best in the business.”

 

“I couldn't be more proud of our team!” exclaims Baker. “The crowd loved them and no one would have ever known that the team made last minute changes. Seventh was one better than last year, but after watching this particular team in action this past weekend, seventh felt like so much more. Every year we usually have a signature skill, and this year our ending pyramid sequence had one of our girls swinging from one side of the floor to another, only to end up on top of the pyramid. The crowd loved it. We will have 13-of-16 members of the team returning next year, along with some outstanding alternates and recruits waiting in the wings. The future is very bright for the Hawai'i cheer team.”