ORLANDO, Fla. – The East Mississippi Community College cheerleading team placed third in Saturday’s finals of the Open Small Coed – Game Day Division of the 2025 UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance National Championship held this past weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort.

 

After advancing to the finals by grabbing the fifth and final qualifying spot among 10 division teams during Friday’s semifinals, the Lions posted a third-place score of 88.8 with zero deductions to finish behind runner-up Coastal Alabama Community College and first-place Hinds Community College.

 

“Our cheer team showed resilience, competitiveness and grit to overcome a challenging first day of competition,” EMCC Director of Athletics Sharon Thompson said about head coach Danielle McDade’s EMCC cheer squad. “Congratulations to the Lions for bringing home a third-place trophy and bronze medallions.”

 

EMCC’s 2024-25 cheerleading team is comprised of Addie Bergeron, Kylie Brown, Tyler Carter, Jakobe Hardy, Jada Harris, Armani Hunter, Braylee Johnson, Huy Le, Taylor Lewis, Kymiah McCann, MJ Nickson, Trynitee Overstreet, Carlee Parker, Madison Perkins, Makenna Reesor, Joslyn Turner, Kristian Weatherby, and Jamario Payton, who serves as EMCC’s Leo the Lion mascot.