DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) Cheer Team enjoyed a very successful performance at the 2021 National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals on April 7-9.
 
SHC Head Coach Alyssa Paesano complimented her squad's enthusiasm and tenacity to make it to the Nationals stage after a year of ups-and-downs due to the Novel Coronavirus' impact on the athletic world. "Being a newer program and being only our second year attending the NCA Nationals, just getting to go and compete on the Nationals stage is a big deal," she said. "Especially this year with all the hurdles and hoops Covid presented."
 
The Badgers had a strong Day 1 scoring a Zero-Deductions performance, but suffered a rougher Day 2. Still, Paesano was delighted with the team's efforts. "We are focusing on keeping it positive and using it all as motivation as we work toward the future," she remarked. "Achieving a Zero-Deduction performance on the floor is a huge accomplishment for anyone - let alone a newer inexperienced program and it's something we are very proud of."
 
"After Day 1, with the team hitting everything and turning in a Zero-Deduction performance - which is a big deal in Cheer - we were placed high in our division," Paesano explained. "Unfortunately, on Day 2 we had a few issues and deductions. With Day 2 being worth 75% on the scorecards, we didn't end up finishing as high as we could and should have."
 
Paesano and her team look forward to building on the solid foundation set by the 2021 squad. "As I said, we are trying to keep it positive, focus on the good, learn from the bad, and we are already working toward future success," she said. "On Day 1, the team saw what they are capable of. And now that they see it, they are hungry for that success and we're ready to get back to work and finish strong in the future."