The Road to Daytona: NCA College Nationals
The Road to Daytona: NCA College Nationals
Cheer competitions bring out the fun side in everyone but one event in particular will never be forgotten by those that have the privilege of participating.
Cheer competitions bring out the fun side in everyone but one event in particular will never be forgotten by those that have the privilege of participating. NCA College Nationals held in Daytona, Florida, April 6-10, is a sight to see. Not only is the talent off the charts but the energy is through the roof. College cheer athletes are at the top of their game but they also know how to live it up! The competition, held outdoors at the bandshell, is a stunning setting for a competition. In addition, the stunt fest, held on the beach after the big event, is incredible. Thousands of cheerleaders gather to mingle with other teams to stunt and tumble in large numbers. We talked with University of Houston Cheerleaders, Erin and Brittany, about the “Road to Daytona”. Erin has been a Cougar cheerleader for three years and Brittany for two years. Both girls are headed back to Daytona for their second time. (Pictured below: Brittany is center with brown hair and Erin is on the very far left)
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Brittany: It was an amazing experience. We performed on the band shell, watched other teams from all over perform and bonded with other schools.
Erin: It was so fun to see our team’s hard work pay off and to be able to experience cheerleading at the collegiate level.
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Erin: Stepping on to the bandshell and turning my head and seeing the beach. Knowing that I was doing this for my team and for my awesome university felt extra special.
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Brittany: We practice everyday for at least two hours. We also practice outside of practice on our own.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BC8r-lYrQ6X/?taken-by=uhcheerleading&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]
Brittany: Going out there with my team and competing once more and hopefully bringing home a nationals title.
Erin: Our routine is 10 times better and my team is much more motivated this year. So taking the mat with them will be a great feeling!
Brittany: We worked really hard with months leading up to it. We met together and flew to Orlando and then drove to Daytona the day before we competed. It allowed us to see the facility, get in some practice time, and get ourselves mentally prepared. I assume it will be the same way this year.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/1LfJltCbQJ/?tagged=ncacollegenationals&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]
Erin: We flew into Orlando, which being in an airport with 20 cheerleaders is always fun! Then we took an hour long bus ride to Daytona. Once we got to the hotel we were able to explore and see the beach. One of the coolest things is that our room had a view to the beach and the bandshell where we competed! Last year was our first year back in Daytona for college nationals in TEN years so actually arriving to our destination was unbelievable.
Erin: We placed 7th out of 17 but considering that it was our first time competing in 10 years is awesome! This year we'll be even better than top 5! Fingers crossed. The experience will be just as insane & memorable but we will be a lot more prepared than we were last year.
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Erin: We are competing in the D1 large coed intermediate division.
Brittany: Unbelievable, memorable, heart-stopping!
Erin: Cheer is life. Once you start…you can't stop.
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FloCheer: Tell us about your Daytona experience
Brittany: It was an amazing experience. We performed on the band shell, watched other teams from all over perform and bonded with other schools.
Erin: It was so fun to see our team’s hard work pay off and to be able to experience cheerleading at the collegiate level.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/wJw6pWL0Tw/?tagged=ncacollegenationals&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]
What was your best memory regarding competing at Daytona?
Erin: Stepping on to the bandshell and turning my head and seeing the beach. Knowing that I was doing this for my team and for my awesome university felt extra special.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/mqFb_XBVlT/?tagged=ncacollegenationals&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]
Tell us about your team's preparation for the big competition
Brittany: We practice everyday for at least two hours. We also practice outside of practice on our own.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BC8r-lYrQ6X/?taken-by=uhcheerleading&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]
What are you looking most forward to this year regarding Daytona?
Brittany: Going out there with my team and competing once more and hopefully bringing home a nationals title.
Erin: Our routine is 10 times better and my team is much more motivated this year. So taking the mat with them will be a great feeling!
Tell us about the actual journey to Daytona...what was it like last year and what will it be like this year?
Brittany: We worked really hard with months leading up to it. We met together and flew to Orlando and then drove to Daytona the day before we competed. It allowed us to see the facility, get in some practice time, and get ourselves mentally prepared. I assume it will be the same way this year.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/1LfJltCbQJ/?tagged=ncacollegenationals&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]
Erin: We flew into Orlando, which being in an airport with 20 cheerleaders is always fun! Then we took an hour long bus ride to Daytona. Once we got to the hotel we were able to explore and see the beach. One of the coolest things is that our room had a view to the beach and the bandshell where we competed! Last year was our first year back in Daytona for college nationals in TEN years so actually arriving to our destination was unbelievable.
How did y'all do last year and what are your thoughts about this year?
Erin: We placed 7th out of 17 but considering that it was our first time competing in 10 years is awesome! This year we'll be even better than top 5! Fingers crossed. The experience will be just as insane & memorable but we will be a lot more prepared than we were last year.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/1VishyLQ3z/?taken-by=uhcheerleading&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]
What division are you competing in?
Erin: We are competing in the D1 large coed intermediate division.
Three words or phrases to describe competing in Daytona.
Brittany: Unbelievable, memorable, heart-stopping!
Erin: Cheer is life. Once you start…you can't stop.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/1bIHRHIuqw/?tagged=ncacollegenationals&hl=en" hide_caption="0"]