ORLANDO - Competing in four events on the opening day of the UCA/UDA College Nationals, the Northwest cheer and dance teams advanced to the final round of three divisions.

In its third year of national competition, the Northwest dance team collected a third-place finish in the Open Game Day semifinals, charting a score of 91.3833. The Rangers finished just slightly behind runners-up The College of New Jersey, which earned a 91.7167 mark. Endicott College was the overall No. 1 team in the semifinal round, totaling a score of 92.05.

Northwest was one of 13 teams competing in the Open Game Day semifinals and one of seven to advance to the finals, which is scheduled for 7:08 A.M. Central Standard Time on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Northwest cheer squad also had a solid day, advancing to the finals of the Open All-Girl Game Day and Open Co-Ed Game Day divisions. In the semifinals of the Open All-Girl Game Day division, the Rangers finished second with a 92.5 score, trailing only Pearl River's 93.0667 mark.

Northwest was one of 19 competing teams in the Open All-Girl Game Day division, with the top 10 teams advancing to the finals, scheduled for 5:15 P.M. Saturday evening.

In the Open Co-Ed Game Day semifinals, the Rangers posted an 88.5 score, finishing second to Mississippi Gulf Coast (92.4667) and ahead of  Campbellsville University (84.4). The finals are slated for Saturday afternoon at 3:45 P.M.

Friday's final event of competition for the Northwest cheer squad was the Girls '4' Group Stunt division, which featured a slew of competitors from Division I programs. As one of 16 groups competing, the Rangers' Allee Belle McMinn, Lorie Buckley, Zoe Boos and Mabree Phillips finished 15th overall with a score of 75.1, but placed higher than the University of Texas.

This season also marked the first time for Northwest to compete in any partner stunt divisions.

Updates throughout the rest of the weekend can be found on Facebook by following Northwest Rangers Athletics. Updates on Twitter/X will also be provided by following @NWCC_Rangers.

Fans with a subscription to Varsity TV can also watch the competition live by clicking here.