|
ORLANDO - On the heels of a second consecutive national championship from CU's costumed mascot, Chip, the CU Express dance team earned what is believed to be the squad's highest finish at nationals with a third place showing in the newly formed pom division at the 2010 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships, administered by the United Cheer Association and United Dance Association here Sunday.
The Buffs, in their first year since 2005 at the UCA and UDA championships, finished higher than any other Big 12 team and finished third behind perennial powers Minnesota and Memphis, and ahead of such school as Oklahoma, Kentucky, Iowa and Ohio State, among others.
"Knowing how hard we prepared and knowing hose skilled and clean the routine was, I had high hopes," CU Spirit Coordinator Liz Harris said. "I'm not sure I expected a top three finish. This is a new division and nobody really knew what the judges were looking for. We had no idea how it was going to end up."
The Buffs did have to wait as they were the first team to compete, meaning they will have the unique distinction of being the first team ever to run a routine in the pom division.
"This is huge exposure not only for our program, but for the University," Harris said. "People will be watching this on ESPN and realize that it's Colorado and they're going to want to come here to compete. There will be incredibly talented women who want to be a part of the CU Express."
Exact dates are not set yet, but Harris expects the competition to be aired on ESPN late February or early March. CU's cheerleaders will take part in the National Cheerleading Association national championships, set for April 7-11 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
|
