ORLANDO - After a near 20-year absence, Northwest Mississippi Community College's cheerleading program made a triumphant return to the UCA and UDA College Nationals this week, earning a pair of national championships.

Under the direction of second-year coach Brandon Casey, Northwest competed in two categories, Game Day Cheer & Mascot and Open Cheer. In the Open Co-Ed Game Day division of the cheer and mascot category, Northwest earned a performance score of 94.9 in the semifinals and a 95.6 in the championship finals, finishing above Drury University and a pair of Division I programs, Northwestern State and Grand Canyon University.

In the Open Cheer category, Northwest rallied from a third-place finish in the Open Small Co-Ed semifinals to earn an 86.5 performance score in the finals, finishing ahead of Trine University and Coastal Alabama Community College.

"This was such an amazing opportunity for us," Casey said. "We are beyond blessed to have such a great support system from the college. Our athletes worked so hard all year long cheering on the Rangers and getting to represent Northwest by earning a pair of championships on the national stage is a huge honor." 

For more information about the Northwest Rangers cheer program, contact Casey at bcasey@northwestms.edu.