The Hope College cheerleaders have qualified for the college cheerleading national championships for the second consecutive year.
Sponsored by the Universal Cheerleading Association, the national championships will be held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 9-10. The Hope cheerleaders will compete in the small coed division.
A year ago the 16-member squad finished eighth among 14 teams in their division at the national competition.
Members of the Hope squad are Meredith Albers, a junior from Hamilton, Mich. (Hamilton HS), freshman Eli Cryderman of Caledonia, Mich. (Caledonia HS), sophomore Katie DeYoung of Portage, Mich. (Portage HS), sophomore Ashley Farr of Jenison, Mich. (Jenison HS), sophomore John Freyermruth of Grand Rapids, Mich. (Ottawa Hills HS), junior Tony Frucci of Plainwell, Mich. (Plainwell HS), junior Betsie Jetter of Greenville, Ohio (Greenville HS), sophomore Carmen Nee of Kalamazoo, Mich. (Kalamazoo Christian HS).
Also, sophomore Ashleigh Sartor of Plymouth, Mich. (Plymouth Canton HS), senior captain Kristin Sheehan of Lansing, Mich. (Holt HS), junior Anne Slaughter of Holland, Mich. (West Ottawa HS), freshman Teasha Smith of Allegan, Mich. (Allegan HS), junior Melissa Snyder of Mishawaka, Ind. (Penn HS), sophomore Kelly Steeves of Clarendon Hills, Ill. (Hinsdale Central HS), sophomore Sarah Stowell of Lake Odessa, Mich. (Lakewood HS), and Aaron Thomson of Sandusky, Mich. (Sandusky HS).
The coaches of the team are Wes Wooley and Kris Ritton.