DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Alfred University cheerleading team finished 17^th out of 19 teams competing in Women's College All-Girl Intermediate division during the 2024 National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) National Championships on Friday evening.
 
The Saxons bested Transylvania University and Old Dominion University. Their basket toss score was ranked No. 8 among competitors due to all their basket tosses being double twists while also scoring high in jump scores, due to very high difficulty and execution. Alfred University was one of just 39 Division III schools competing in the NCA nationals out of the 493 D3 schools across the country, putting the Saxons in the Top-8% of the country competing with the same framework.
 
Here are the thoughts of Head Coach Dr. Amy Button-Ervin:
 
"We made history and are now among the top 19 all-girl intermediate DIII cheer teams in the country! Being here in Daytona has really shown us how much of an accomplishment that is. We have been stunting alongside amazing teams from all around the states and are so thankful to have had the opportunity to have this experience. While we did not perform to our fullest potential this weekend, I couldn't be prouder of this team for persisting despite adversity and pushing through the challenges. This competition has been like no other for these athletes or myself. What you see on tv with thousands of athletes and spectators, bright spotlights and unbelievably loud music corresponding to repetitive counts to 8 is exactly what it has been like. We had the luxury of practicing at an off-site park, and that's where I saw my athletes shine this week. They were hitting stunts and working through outdoor climates (both wind before a storm and beating the sun) to be successful. Unfortunately, we didn't show the judges all that we can do on stage on either day. Had we, I think we probably would have been closer to the top 10 teams. With that said, WE DID IT! We have set the stage for the future of AU Cheer and the girls are already making plans for new traditions and strategies for next year. I love that energy in them and am so very proud of this historical team. We will most definitely miss our graduating seniors, Chloe Fox and Hannah Wiatrowski, but they've been pinnacle in a bright future with our veterans moving into our next season.
 
With regard to our performances this weekend, it's noteworthy to highlight our strengths, and we really shined with our baskets. We made some adjustments to the routine since our last competition, and Averill Hollond stepped in to do two double twisting baskets in the routine. Bases from both groups, Alexa Robbins, Praise Simmons, Izzy Santella, and Austynn Sherwood, supported her ability to keep our difficulty points in the highest range. Additionally, Lily Gowie, with bases Praise Simmons, Hannah Wiatrowski, and Ruby Kavanagh, accomplished her double twist perfectly on day one. While we will need to increase tumbling in our routine next year, I highlight Ruby Kavanagh and Deana Sanchez, both of whom increased our difficulty scores with their precision in their roundoff back handspring tucks. While not part of our skill scores, but more so an added visual effect for our overall effect and choreography scores, I also must highlight Chealyn Howard, based by Chloe Fox, Alexa Robbins, and Izzy Santella, and Austynn Sherwood, based by Praise Simmons, Tanila Lane, and Hannah Wiatrowski, who with strength and support underneath, flew for the first time in their careers for this routine. Once again, I highlight the versatility of these athletes. I'm so impressed and appreciative for them believing in me and in themselves to accomplish things they never saw coming.
 
Next year, we will be back, Daytona, and ready to move up the ranks."