LU Cheer and Dance teams win bids to nationals
The Lamar University cheer and dance teams showed up to the National Cheer Association and National Dance Alliance’s Collegiate Camps at Southern Methodist University ready to take flight.
“These camps at SMU are NCA and NDA’s largest and most competitive camps every year with several current national champions in attendance,” said Courtney Sutton, head cheer and dance coach. “This was LUDT’s first time attending camp and both teams were successful.”
From July 22-24, both teams worked to sharpen their skills in stunts, choreography and overall performance. Sutton said the goal of the camp is not only to help teams become well-rounded performers, but also to help them prepare for the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship and ultimately earn a “bid.”
According to Sutton, a bid is an invitation to compete at the national championship and must be earned through competing at events or camps that offer them. The LU cheer and dance teams both earned a bid –– the first step towards a championship.
Bids for the NCA and NDA camp are awarded in three tiers –– Silver, Gold and Bronze –– and all participants receive a price discount to attend nationals. The LUDT won the Most Improved award by a unanimous vote from the NDA staff and secured a Silver Bid. The LU Cheer team won their division in rally routine, which is essentially a shortened nationals-style routine, and they also took home a Bronze Bid.
Individuals that attend the camps also have the opportunity to be nominated by NCA staff to try out for the All-American team. When an athlete is nominated for All-American, they are invited to perform at special events around the world. Two dancers from the LUDT team –– Hailee Castillo and Jasmine Warner –– were nominated to audition and both dancers were selected as All-Americans.
Sutton said she’s excited for the win and there’s more to come from both teams. “We are extremely proud of these teams and this unprecedented start to the new school year.”
