Club Cheer Makes History at NCA College Nationals

In a landmark debut, Sacred Heart’s club cheer team competes against Division I programs in Daytona Beach, proving they belong on the national stage

Key Highlights

• First in SHU history: The club cheer team made its debut at the NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach
• Division I competition: SHU competed against NCAA Division I programs from across the country
• Qualification process: The team earned a nationals bid through a competitive video submission showcasing tumbling, pyramids, stunts, and jumps
• Skill advancement: Athletes successfully executed high-difficulty elements, including inversion stunts and rewinds after rapid development
• Program momentum: The team exceeded its goal by finishing in the top 20 building a strong foundation for future national appearances

For the first time in Sacred Heart University history, the club sports cheer team took the mat at the NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, stepping into one of the most competitive environments in collegiate cheer and holding its own against NCAA Division I programs.

The moment had been years in the making, built on the team’s long-standing skill, but it also took shape over just a few months as a new season brought an influx of athletes.

“This season was special because we had the most girls try out,” said senior captain and psychology major Hannah Taggart ’26. “That gave us the ability to really build something competitive. We knew early on we had a lot of potential.”

That potential quickly turned into ambition. Behind the scenes, coaches and captains began setting their sights on nationals, a goal that required more than just strong performances. Unlike traditional postseason paths, the route to nationals requires teams to either earn a bid at camp or qualify through a rigorous video submission process. SHU’s club team pursued the latter.

“We had to create a full two-minute video with tumbling, pyramids, stunts, and jumps and submit it for evaluation,” said head coach Alyssa Varnum. “From there, officials determine if you’re strong enough to compete in the category that you submit for which for us was All-Girl  Intermediate Division I.”

The team earned a bid to the Intermediate All-Girl Division I category, placing it directly alongside some of the nation’s top collegiate programs.

Competing among the best

When the team arrived in Daytona, the scale of the competition became immediately clear. 
“You have famous teams and athletes all around you,” Taggart said. “The talent level is unreal. You’re watching routines where your jaw just drops.”

For many SHU athletes, it was their first time competing at that level—or competing at all. 
“We had girls on the mat who had never competed before,” Taggart said. “Getting a routine to the point where it’s clean, precise, and ready for judges takes so much time and effort.”

That preparation extended far beyond learning choreography. Every athlete had to master unique roles within a tightly synchronized routine, all while building the endurance to perform under pressure.

“It’s not just physical,” Taggart said. “It’s mental. Every motion, every count, every expression has to be exact for longer than two minutes.”

Rising to the challenge

The team brought 24 athletes to nationals, including alternates, and competed with 20 on the mat. Their goal was simple: prove they belonged.

“Our goal was to finish in the top 20 teams in our division,” Varnum said. “And we did. We did really well for the amount of time we had to prepare, and it speaks volumes about the dedication and work ethic of this team. I’m incredibly proud of them.”

Her words carry extra weight given the level of competition. Unlike most club teams, SHU faced programs whose cheer squads are part of NCAA athletics.

“We competed against established Division I programs,” Varnum said. “As a club team, having the opportunity to perform on that same stage is a huge accomplishment. The team demonstrated significant technical growth, incorporating advanced elements such as inversion stunts and rewinds—skills that typically require a significant amount of time to master. The fact that we were able to learn and hit those stunts in such a short time was incredible.”

Building a foundation for the future

With their first appearance at nationals behind them, the focus now turns to what comes next. “This was just the beginning,” Varnum said. “Now we know what it takes to get there. Next year, we can start earlier and build even more.”

Leadership will evolve as the team transitions to a new group of captains, but the culture established this season is expected to carry forward.

“They’ve set the standard,” Varnum said. “The next group knows what success looks like, and understands the level of commitment it takes to get there.”

For graduating senior Taggart, the experience will leave a lasting impression. “I’m just so grateful we got to do this,” she said. “To go from where we were to competing on that stage, it was unreal.”