The Hope College cheerleaders came together the first week of August to make their annual trip to the largest regional college cheerleading camp in the country sponsored by Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) in Milwaukee, Wisc.
The squad, comprised of three men and eight women, joined nearly a thousand cheerleaders representing colleges and universities from all over the Midwest and beyond, on the campus of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
Over four days, the squads work on new skills, hone their safety technique, come together as a team and compete in competitions with routines learned at camp. As one of just a few NCAA Division III colleges in attendance, the Hope squad participated in camp competitions in a very competitive Small Coed Division which included several Division I universities, as well as three-time, and current national champions in Small Coed, Division II, Northern Kentucky University.
Hope earned a second place trophy in the Sideline competition and a fourth place trophy in the Cheer competition, as well as blue ribbons in every evaluation in which they participated.
In addition to their impressive showing in the competitions, the Hope cheerleaders tied for the Leadership Trophy in their division with DePaul University. This award is voted on by the other squads in that division, for the squad which; they would like to be a member of, exhibited leadership throughout the camp, and made everyone's camp experience more enjoyable.
With only four members of Hope's squad having previous college camp experience, this very positive outcome in Milwaukee is a harbinger of great things to come for this young squad, according to coach Wes Wooley.
-30-