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Penn State’s cheerleading team achieved a historic milestone at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) National Championships, earning third place in both D1A Small Coed Game Day and Traditional categories. Their success contributed to Penn State being one of only six universities to rank in the top 10 across cheer, dance, and mascot competitions. The Lionettes placed seventh in Pom and 10th in Jazz, while the Nittany Lion secured eighth place in the mascot division.
A Prestigious Competition on the National Stage
The UCA Nationals is the premier competition for elite cheer programs across the United States. This year’s event, held January 16–18 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, brought together the nation’s best teams for a battle of precision, spirit, and athleticism.
A Grueling Journey to Nationals
Competing at UCA Nationals is no easy feat, requiring immense dedication and preparation. Senior Gavin Heist emphasized the challenges of managing two separate routines.
“I don’t think people fully understand how much effort goes into our routines, especially since we compete in two different categories,” Heist said. “We train four times a week during the fall, and leading up to nationals, we increase to two practices a day for several weeks.”
This year, the team faced unique challenges with Penn State’s College Football Playoff appearance.
“Normally, we’d spend all our time leading up to nationals practicing, but this year was different,” Heist explained. “We had to juggle travel for the CFP Semifinal in Arizona, return for a short training period, then head back out to Miami for the Orange Bowl. It was a tight schedule, and personally, I only got six days at home over Christmas.”
Balancing Academics, Athletics, and Championships
Beyond football commitments, the squad also supported other Penn State sports while staying on top of their academics. Senior Sy’raia Maney highlighted the challenge of balancing their responsibilities.
“[It was tough] because we practiced four to five days a week, while also attending football games and traveling for the playoffs,” Maney shared. “The key was time management—handling schoolwork during the day and focusing solely on practice when we were in the gym.”
The Road to the Finals
The competition kicked off with Game Day, where the team successfully advanced through the semifinals and finals on the same day.
“We expected to make the finals after our semifinal performance, so hearing our name called was a relief and a confidence boost,” Heist recalled. “We celebrated briefly but knew we had to refocus and fine-tune our routine for the final performance that evening.”
On Saturday and Sunday, attention shifted to the Traditional division.
“We weren’t certain if we’d advance after the semifinals, but hearing our name called was an incredible moment,” Heist said. “That night, we held a practice session to make last-minute refinements. We weren’t satisfied with just reaching the finals—we wanted to bring home a medal.”
A Historic Achievement for Penn State Cheer
Earning third place in both divisions marked a significant step forward for Penn State cheerleading.
“It was a surreal moment,” Maney said. “We set this as a goal, but hearing it announced made it feel unbelievable. It boosted our team’s confidence and cemented our progress.”
For head coach Curtis White, who has led the program for 27 years and guided the team to two national titles, the accomplishment was a testament to the team’s resilience.
“Breaking into the top five at UCA Nationals is a huge accomplishment,” White said. “Juggling sporting events, the College Football Playoff, national preparations, and academics was no small feat, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has achieved.”
A Bright Future for Penn State Cheerleading
The back-to-back third-place finishes reflect the team’s steady improvement from previous years.
“Winning a medal at UCA Nationals isn’t easy,” Heist noted. “Since I’ve been on the team, this is the first time we’ve medaled. Last year, we didn’t even make the finals, so placing third in both events is a huge step forward.”
This success also enhances Penn State’s recruiting prospects.
“This achievement means a lot to our team and the university,” Heist said. “While I won’t be here next year, I know that our performance on the mat will attract even more talented athletes to join Penn State cheerleading.”
With a strong foundation and growing recognition, Penn State cheerleading continues to rise on the national stage, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.
