ORLANDO, Flo.- The Ouachita cheerleading team traveled to Orlando, Florida on January 13-15 to compete in the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships, hosted at Walt Disney World. Ouachita was the only Division II team from the state of Arkansas and one of only two teams from the state, the other being the cheer team from the University of Arkansas.

Ouachita competed in the semi-final round on Saturday, and were later informed that they would be participating in the finals on Sunday. The OBU cheer team was flawless in their final performance, placing seventh in the nation and marking the highest finish ever by a Ouachita cheer squad at the national competition.

"I am so proud of my team this year," said head coach Brian Bridges. "They really gave it their all. They have worked so hard this year not only to prepare for this huge competition but also to lead the Tiger Nation in supporting our athletic teams at Ouachita."

The seventh place finish not only marks the highest finish by a cheer squad from Ouachita, but also the highest finish ever by a university from the state of Arkansas. The UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships is the most prestigous college cheer competition in the nation.

Bridges, who has been the head coach for the Ouachita cheerleaders and spirit squads since 2008, has led his team to the finals twice during the four years that the team has participated in the event. The only other time that the team advanced to the finals was in 2009.

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director