When I grow up, I want to be any one of the women rocking the mat at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals.

Even more than any other major competition in the USA, NCA College Nationals annually means a serious battle to maintain the title.  You only have the look at the heritage of some of the division titles to see why...

Division IA - Cheer 
2012 Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK
2011 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2010 Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK
2009 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2008 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2007 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2006 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2005 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2004 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2003 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2002 University of North Texas Denton, TX
2001 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
2000 University of North Texas Denton, TX

Division II Cheer (Separated into Division II & Junior College in 1998) 
2012 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2011 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2010 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2009 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI 
2008 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2007 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2006 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2005 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2004 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
2003 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI

All Girl IA - Cheer
2012 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2011 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
2010 University of Maryland College Park, MD

Junior College 
2012 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2011 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2010 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2009 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2008 Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX 
2007 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2006 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2005 Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX
2004 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2003 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX
2002 Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX
2001 Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX
2000 Navarro Community College Corsicana, TX

Maintaining the title is so much more than the trophy.  It’s the pride and reward for every drop of sweat and even blood that each athlete has shed for their sport.  Not to mention the hours of study to keep grades above their programs’ required average. 

In pursuit of this glory, NCA College National Competitors continue to push the boundaries on what we can expect especially from pyramids and all girl stunts.  Frankly – it’s the all girl stunt that most caught my attention.  These women are the epitome of strength and grace –everything females in sport aspire to.  

A big congratulations for the women of steel from the University of Nevada (Emily, Sara, Courtni and Alexandra) for winning the title.  Special mention also goes to the insanity that is Lexie, Cheyenne, Tara and Whitney from Oklahoma State University.  Another routine that had me wanting more was Hawaii Pacific University (Allie, Ashley, Bethany and Tori).  Their flyer floated through the first half as if utterly weightless.  Beyond stunning.  

Frankly, after seeing everything the ladies had to bring to the table I'm left with one thought - watch out boys!

Check out videos from the exciting event on the Varsity website here.