UWG News Archive

UWG Cheerleaders win fourth championship

January 20, 2005

CARROLLTON, GA - The legend continues to grow as the University of West Georgia’s coed cheerleading squad won its fourth straight Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) national championship in Orlando, Jan. 16.

In addition, UWG’s All-Girl squad and All-Girl partner stunt team nabbed second in their competitions.

The Coed squad finished 20 points higher than second place Slippery Rock University, sealing the Braves' fourth straight championship in the last four trips to the competition. In-state rival Columbus State finished third in the standings.

The Braves were seeded first heading to Orlando for the third straight year and were the heavy favorite to win. That was the situation that the All-Girl squad ran into in facing top-seeded Fairmont State University.

West Georgia Athletic Director Ed Murphy said this remarkable run of championships is the result of Coach Sherry Cooney’s dedication and discipline.

“You really have to credit all her hard work. She’s a tough coach, which makes her team come together,” Murphy said. “She expects a lot out of them. It’s really amazing what she's been able to do. They really push during their routines.”

Murphy added that Cooney’s drive also attracts a high-caliber of student athlete to West Georgia.

“Her reputation as a coach brings a quality student to the institution,” he pointed out. “Coach Cooney attracts students who were leaders when they were in high school, so when they come here, they naturally become leaders too.”

The title only adds to the legend of the UWG cheerleading squad, its fourth straight national title since a tragic van accident devastated the program in 1997. The accident, which killed two cheerleaders and the coach, will be the subject of a motion picture, Cheer The Brave, starring Tony Award-winning actor Shuler Hensley, as Murphy.

Members of the Coed Cheerleading team include, seniors Chad Ayers of Greenville, N.C., Gabe Delgado of Kingsland, Brandon Glen of Commerce, Jesse Lewallen of Commerce, Blake Segall of Wilmington, N.C. and Nicole Staffins of Lawrenceville. Junior members are Candice Abney of Powder Springs, Molly Costello of Woodstock, Eric Deal of Clayton, Talon Harvell of Lawrenceville, Katherine Heatherly of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Ryan McKinnon of St. Mary’s.

Sophomore members are Lee Smith of Sharpsburg and Brittany Teague of Decatur, Ala. Freshmen members are Megan Johnson of Loganville, Courtney Mathis of Sharpsburg, Carey McCann of Acworth, Anice Moore of Cedartown, Stephanie Shouse of Griffin, and Zac Tompkins of Dacula.

In 2004, West Georgia took the All-Girl competition, but Fairmont was too strong this year, finishing first.

The All-Girl partner stunt team of Nicole Staffins, Jackie Swaim of Somerville, Ala., Sandy Faith of Roswell and Nikki Williams of Fayetteville came close with their routine but finished second to Orange Coast College.

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