The Malone University Pioneer cheerleading squad competed at the Christian Cheerleader Association national competition March 3-5 at Cabarrus Arena, Concord, North Carolina, again bringing home top honors as the defending National Champions. The all-female squad bested another all-female squad in round one and round two, finishing on top. 

Logan Cole, one of the Captains of the squad, created their 2:30 routine which consisted of the following judged elements: motions/dance, jumps, partner stunts, pyramids, tosses, standing tumbling, running tumbling, transitions, choreography, and overall performance.

According to Malone University cheerleading coach, Kara Kaelber, “There has been a long-standing debate about whether or not cheerleaders are athletes. If you had been able to see our Malone University Pioneer cheerleaders competing at this national competition, you would have no doubt that they are athletes! They competed at a high level of difficulty and they were triumphant!”

The 2011 CCA National Cheerleading Champions are:

Heidi Marston, a senior communication arts major from Utica, Captain

Aimee Morrow, a senior educational ministries major from Biglerville, Penn., Captain

Logan Cole, a junior intervention specialist major from Eighty Four, Penn, Captain

Brooke Billiter, a freshman intervention specialist major from Dover

Elizabeth Hamlin, a sophomore nursing major from Navarre

Ashley Hess, a freshman biology major from Shelby

Sasha Ingram, a junior political science major from Canton

Sarah Levering, a freshman early childhood education major from Malvern

Lauren McCallum, a junior youth educational ministries major from Norton

Elizabeth Pesich, a senior exercise science major from Canton

Rachel Slack, a sophomore intervention specialist major from Bryan

Ashley Song, a junior business administration major from Aurora

Shelby Stover, a sophomore middle childhood education major from Akron