April 7, 2008

Huntington, W.Va. - Marshall University's co-ed cheerleading squad will compete at the National Cheerleaders Association's Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday and Friday.

"This is the best team we have had," Head Coach Donna Dunn said. "I have never felt as confident about a team as I do this one. We have a great group and I think we have an excellent chance of winning a national championship."

The Thundering Herd cheer squad will be one of 16 teams competing in the co-ed intermediate division. Marshall earned an automatic bid to the event last fall with an outstanding performance during cheer camp in Louisville. Marshall's cheerleaders won most collegiate, best all-around collegiate, and most spirited at the camp. The Thundering Herd's most spirited award was the squad's seventh consecutive win in that category.

"This is one of the few times where the cheerleaders go out and compete for themselves rather than cheering on another team," Dunn said. "I am so proud of this group. This is the fifth time we have had the opportunity to go to Nationals and this could not be a better group to represent Marshall."

The two day event brings collegiate cheerleading and dance teams from across the nation to Daytona Beach. Preliminaries are scheduled for Thursday with finals set for Friday at the Ocean Center. Fox Sports Net will televise segments of the event on a tape-delay basis on April 26 and 29.

Marshall's co-ed squad consists of 22 students who dedicate countless hours of time practicing their routines and cheering at athletic events.