Trevecca cheer places sixth at UCA Division I All Girl Game Day Nationals

Maven McGregory

Senior Reporter

For the first time in history, Trevecca cheer placed sixth out of 31 teams in the UCA Division I All Girls Game Day Nationals and finished third at the University World Cup Cheerleading Championships (UWCC).

In 2025, the team participated in its fourth national competition. After missing finals by 0.2 points last year, the team came back with purpose. Now, they are sixth in the country and third in the world.

“Our slogan of the season was ‘point two prove’ because last year we missed finals by 0.2 points. It really meant a lot to not only make finals but be successful in being on the heels of the top five programs in the nation. In the World Cup last year, we were very close to success but had a small mishap at the very last second of the routine that cost us our placement. This season, we were able to come home with a medal,” said Lexi Laucirica, the cheer team’s head coach.

Every summer, the team begins prepping for the season at UCA camp, hosted by the same organization that runs nationals, which contributes significantly to the team’s success, said Laucirica.

“We go to East Tennessee State every summer to start the preparation process. We start with UCA camp in July. After that, we practice in the fall about four times a week,” said Laucirica. “It’s very heavy reps of our routine, making sure everything is perfected. We focus on maximizing each section of the score sheet throughout the season, focusing on execution, sharpness, and crowd engagement.”

The season came with challenges, forcing last-minute changes to the team.

“A lot of people quit and there were many injuries. Right before nationals, a teammate left, so we had to start all over. We had to make a whole new routine. We only had that routine for a short amount of time and still executed it well. I’m very proud of that,” said Savana Pendergraff, team captain.

The team faced unexpected challenges that tested their resilience.

“We were frustrated, but we turned that frustration into determination. Our coaching staff did a great job fixing problems immediately. We already had a whole new routine because our coach stayed up for eight hours rerouting the entire routine,” said Pendergraff.

As the program continues to grow, the team is seeking new members with prior experience for next season.

“Right now, we’re in the recruiting process of finding new top girls, spaces, [and] backspots, all the positions for next year,” said Pendergraff.

Laucirica said that their goal is to recruit cheerleaders with previous experience in competitions, but they will still welcome those who don’t and have the determination and willingness to improve.

“I think that’s important in our growth and success in this division is to bring in girls that already have that under their belt because it is a bit of a learning curve. But if you haven’t had that experience before, motion sharpness and stunting technique are especially important, as they carry significant weight in our division,” said Laucirica

The team looks ahead to growing its team and building its achievements.

Trevecca cheer will hold a recruiting clinic on Feb. 28 at Moore Gymnasium. The clinic runs from 4:30–6:30 p.m., costs $40, and is open to 9th grade through high school seniors and college transfers.