DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Mercer University’s cheerleaders placed third at the 31^st National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships, finishing off the three-day competition. The Bears were making their first appearance at the NCA’s since 2002.

The NCA event is recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious cheerleading competitions in the world. MU competed in the Small Coed 1 Division, which is for schools that compete in NCAA Division I basketball, but do not have a football team, and have four or less males on the squad.

Squad members included: Alyssa Brooks, Jessica Carrier, Peter Fredrickson, Haley Hollingsworth, Matheu Martell, Christy Lowery, Morgan McCombs, Candice McClung, Kallie Phillips, Bobbie Padgett, Natalee Pope, Mandy Pike, Grace Scharoun, Leslie Roberts, Robert Smith, Kristin Tullis, and Derek Wojcik.