ORLANDO, Fla. - The Widener University cheerleading team placed third in the Open All-Girl Game Day Division at the UCA College National Championships in Orlando, Fla., from Jan. 16-18. 

Head coach Lisa Jack shared her pride in the team's performance, saying "I am beyond proud of these girls for finishing 3rd in the nation in such a competitive division and making Widener Cheer history with our first ever top three finish in Game Day! We set goals for Nationals and met every single one through hard work, resilience, and heart. They never gave up, always pushed for more, and that's all I can ever ask for as their coach!" 

Competing against 10 other teams, Widener placed third in both the semifinals and finals, earning a score of 85.9. The Gameday division at Nationals is designed to replicate the in-game atmosphere teams create on their home sidelines, combining elements such as a band chant, crowd-leading segments—including situational sideline and cheer—and a fight song within a three-minute routine. Widener performed its timeout routine to the song "Walk It Out." Pearl River Community College of Poplarville, Mississippi, claimed first place with a score of 95.5667, while Northwest Community College of Senatobia, Mississippi, finished second with a score of 91.2667. 

Widener competed among 16 teams in the Open All-Girl Traditional division, placing ninth with a score of 54.7. This division at UCA Nationals highlights a combination of technical cheer elements, including tumbling, stunts, and pyramids, along with performance quality through music, dance, and interactive sideline components. Northwest Community College earned first place with an 86.9, while Pearl River Community College followed with an 80.6. Misericordia University secured third with a score of 73.5. 

The Pride turn their focus to the MAC Championships, set for February 15 at 2 p.m. at Misericordia University.