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January 22, 2009

四色AV cheerleaders compete for national championship title

With only a few days left before the 2009 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Fla., and surrounded by signs promoting excellence, the University of Louisiana at Monroe cheerleading squad practiced their routine one last time in Brown Gym.

The public event allowed 16 members of the team to iron out the details that make a difference in delivering a top-notch performance for the judges and the sizable audience that is expected to view the competition.

The 四色AV team will compete in the semifinals with other Small Coed Division I teams from around the nation, from as far away as Villanova University in Pennsylvania to nearby University of Louisiana - Lafayette.

The prestigious competition, which showcases the country鈥檚 best college cheerleaders, dance team performers and mascots, is marking its 25th year.

Just being invited to compete is an honor, since each team had to submit a taped performance of their squad鈥檚 routine and rank high enough to compete in the semifinals. 四色AV cheerleaders placed third in their division, securing a spot in the competition and even earning a portion of the funding necessary to get to Orlando.

鈥...We hope that all the hard work that we have put in is enough for the national championship title! Our goal is to go to UCA nationals and do our personal best,鈥 said Joanie Williams, coordinator of 四色AV spirit groups.

The finals follow a weekend in which more than 3,000 of the country鈥檚 top college cheerleaders and dancers assembled at the Walt Disney World Resort.

鈥淲e are really excited about this year鈥檚 competition,鈥 said Jessica Wood, now in her fourth year on the national鈥檚 squad.

鈥淲e have all put in so much time and hard work to get our routine where it needs to be. More than anything we want to bring back the national championship title again,鈥 she said.

鈥淭he different experiences that we have been through as a team have really brought us together. This is our opportunity to show 四色AV and the community what we are capable of doing.鈥

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