The UTM Cheer Team competed in the Universal Cheer Association’s (UCA) national competition at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World Resort on Saturday, Jan. 19, in Orlando, Florida.
The last time the UTM Cheer Team competed in the UCA National competition was last year however they had not been previously since 2005.
The UCA National Cheer Competition is an event similar to UTM’s pyramid contest, where teams are judged based on a music/formation portion and a cheer routine competition. The UTM Cheer team competed in the top half of their Division 1 semifinals competition, which only allowed them to have four men on the team. This evens the playing field somewhat and is beneficial to smaller schools such as UTM.
In honor of their attendance in the UCA National competition and as a fundraiser to help with expenses on the trip, the team held a showcase of some of their routines on Thursday night before they left for Orlando. During the showcase, however, a member of their team was seriously injured and was unable to compete at the UCA championship.
After a blow to the team, any group can get rattled, however, husband and wife coaching duo James and Jessi Woody were ready to rally their crew. James said the team was worried about their peer and their ability to perform competitively but they pressed on.
However, because of the injured teammate, the team had to change much of its routine. After removing an entire pyramid from their act, there was very little time to prepare, and a weighing concern for one of their teammates on their minds.
The UTM Cheer team did not place at the UCA National championship.
Regardless of this outcome, both coaches said they are proud of the team and how far they made it this year.
The UTM Cheer Team can be seen at every basketball and football game during the individual seasons. For more information on cheer at UTM contact Coach James Woody at jwoody5@utm.edu.
UTM Cheer Team poses outside the ESPN complex. |Photo Credit/ UTM Cheerleading
