PCA’s Competitive Cheer Team Places in National High School Cheerleading Championships

PCA’s first-ever Competitive Cheer Team began their journey to Universal Cheerleading Association’s (UCA) National High School Cheerleading Championships (NHSCC) nearly one year ago! The 16-person squad worked to perfect their routines during the summer and made their competitive debut at the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s competition in Mobile by placing first, ranking high enough to advance to the regional competition.

In November 2020, during the Magic City Championship, UCA’s NHSCC state competition, the Panthers made program history by receiving a bid to nationals after being named Magic City Champions – the top team in the competition with no deductions. 

“From the very beginning, we knew we had a group of cheerleaders that would change the path of Panther Cheer forever,” said Stephanie Alexander, JV cheer coach. “This team proved that although there will always be hills and valleys, hard work will always pave the way for success.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, PCA’s competitive cheer team made the difficult decision to compete virtually at the UCA National Championships. While the competition was held at Disney World, the Panthers competed in their home gym on April 23-25. They performed four routines, which included game day competition. The competition was grueling as they competed head-to-head with some of the country’s top squads and veterans of the national competitive stage. PCA competed well enough to advance to the finals, even receiving zero deductions during the semi-final round.

“This year’s competition team went above and beyond in their teamwork, determination, and champion-level work ethic this season, “ said Lisa Hardman, assistant varsity cheer coach. “As a first season competition team, and through many obstacles this year, they persevered and worked tirelessly to achieve the goal of making it to nationals! We are so proud of them and their bright future as a competition team.”

After making cheer history earlier this season, the Panthers doubled down by setting another program record by placing in the national competition! PCA’s competitive cheer team placed fourth in the JV Gameday Division! 

“I’m beyond proud of this team, their hard work, and determination to do great things,” said Jennifer Goff, varsity cheer coach. “They never stopped working toward the goal of getting to Nationals. Placing in National’s virtual competition was a perfect ending!”