IU Southeast Cheerleading Wins Championship in South Carolina

IU Southeast Cheerleading Wins Championship in South Carolina

Bookmark and Share

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 23, 2009) - This past weekend, the Indiana University Southeast cheerleading team made their first-ever trip to the Cheer Ltd Open College Nationals a memorable one with a championship finish.

The IU Southeast cheerleaders captured the national championship in the All-Girl Medium Collegiate Division over Winthrop University (NCAA Division I) on Saturday (3/21) evening. To win the championship, IU Southeast competed in Myrtle Beach, S.C with 17 other schools ranging from NAIA to NCAA Division I.


The team comprised of 13 girls was led by senior Valarie DeVore (Sellersburg, Ind. -- New Albany H.S.). This is the first national title for any program in the IU Southeast athletic department.

IU Southeast also won the CANAM Sportsmanship Award during the three-day competition. The award was given for outstanding sportsmanship by fans, competitors, and coaches during the weekend's competition. A monetary donation will be given to the IU Southeast cheerleading program and to a charity of the team's choosing.

The trip to nationals was the first for the IU Southeast cheerleading program under the direction of fourth-year head coach Kaelin Abbott (Sellersburg, Ind.) and assistant coaches Portia Steele (Corydon, Ind.) and Lydia Stephenson (Jeffersonville, Ind.).

2008-09 CHEERLEADING NATIONAL COMPETITION ROSTER

Name

Class

Hometown

High School

Gabby Harvey

Junior

New Albany, IN

New Albany High School

Valerie DeVore

Senior

Sellersburg, IN

New Albany High School

Jessika Otte

Sophomore

Crandall , IN

North Harrison High School

Kate Alexandar

Freshman

Sellersburg, IN

Silver Creek High School

Jennesy McConnell

Freshman

Ramsey, IN

North Harrison High School

Christy Crosby

Freshman

Sellersburg, IN

Silver Creek High School

Megan Conner

Sophomore

Jeffersonville, IN

Jeffersonville High School

Amber Weatherington

Freshman

Fairdale, KY

Fairdale High School

Mallory Buonadonna

Freshman

Crestwood, KY

South Oldham High School

Becky Kelley

Freshman

Memphis, IN

Silver Creek High School

Eden Abrell

Freshman

Spencer, IN

Owen Valley High School

Sarah Beaver

Freshman

Ramsey, IN

North Harrison High School

Amber Weathers

Freshman

Louisville, KY

Fern Creek High School