Trevecca cheer places fifth at University World Cup, sets record for first time competing

By Parker Henningsen

Staff Writer

Trevecca cheerleaders performing a pyramid stunt during their UCA routine in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 17, 2025 *University Event Photography*

On Jan. 17, Trevecca cheer placed 12th in Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Nationals at the Division I level and placed fifth in the University World Cup (UWC) in only their third time competing. This marks a record for the team, as they competed in the World Cup for the first time.

“We received our highest raw score in program history, which is very exciting. We would have finished in first place, but we had a small mistake at the end of our routine, which bumped us to fifth,” said Lexi Laucirica, the cheer team’s head coach.

In 2024, the team did not place due to the rebuilding of the program. However, in 2023, its first year competing, they placed 11th out of 25 in Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Nationals.

Out of the 25 members on the team, 21 of them are freshmen. Some had competed at nationals before, but only in All-Star cheerleading, not UCA. All-Star is a club sports style of cheerleading, while UCA is based on school sports.

“We recruited a very strong freshman class, but it was still a little nerve-racking,” said Laucirica.

Some of the freshmen felt the same way.

“It made me a little nervous, but it was also very exciting,” said Ella Faivre, a freshman backspot. “Getting to represent Trevecca with my best friends was really fun and helped calm my nerves.”

Emma Christie, a junior, has two years of previous experience competing at nationals with the team.

“I want the best for the team, so having the background experience allowed me to be a team leader of sorts. I was able to offer my experience to the younger girls,” said Christie.

With a successful competition finished, the team is looking forward to competing again next year.

“I think it is more mental than it is physical. You have to trust yourself first and then your teammates around you,” said Reese Wilson, a freshman flyer. “The next thing is doing your job and relying on the girls around you to do the same. That is something we have practiced a lot and will continue doing moving forward.”

Trevecca’s cheer team performs at every home game for the men’s and women’s basketball teams.