Orlando, Fla. — Morehead State University Cheerleading added two more national championships to its historic résumé over the weekend, continuing a standard of success that remains unmatched in collegiate cheer.
Competing at the UCA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida, Morehead State captured national titles in All-Girl Partner Stunt and Small Coed Division I Gameday. The wins bring the program’s total to 56 national championships, the most of any institution in the country.
The championships come one year after MSU did not secure a first-place finish at nationals, marking a return to the top of the podium across multiple divisions.
Coleman Reaches Coaching Milestone
The two titles also pushed head coach Mark Coleman to 21 national championships since taking over the program in 2014, making him the winningest head cheer coach in Morehead State history.
“Overall, it’s very exciting,” Coleman said. “To come back with two titles, especially after last year when we were outside the top group, says a lot about how this team responded.”
Coleman’s tenure has been defined by consistency and expansion, building on the foundation established by longtime head coach Myron Doan while continuing to evolve the program’s competitive reach.
First Gameday Title Marks Program Growth
The Small Coed Division I Gameday championship marked a first for Morehead State. The squad, which has existed for fewer than five years, earned the program’s inaugural national title in the Gameday division.
“Morehead State is not traditionally known as a gameday school,” Coleman said. “We’re not a big state school, so when we started a fourth team, there were questions. This group answered those questions.”
Gameday routines span three minutes and demand sustained energy, synchronization, and adaptability. Flags, crowd-leading elements, choreography, and transitions all factor into execution and scoring.
Preparation for that stage requires repetition under varied conditions, according to athletes.
“Nerves affect your body the same way fatigue does,” said Kiah Russell, a member of the Small Coed Gameday squad. “By the time we reach nationals, we’ve done the routine so many times and in so many environments that you feel prepared, even knowing how big the moment is.”
Precision in Partner Stunt
In All-Girl Partner Stunt, the margin for error is minimal. Routines last just 45 seconds, placing a premium on efficiency and execution.
“We built a routine with the most difficult stunts, transitions, and dismounts we could,” said Claire Ginter, a member of the national championship group alongside Britton Carr, Kiara Garcia, and Sophia Vormbrock. “To our knowledge, we were the first partner stunt group to perform nine skills within that time frame.”
The group secured Morehead State’s fifth All-Girl Partner Stunt national championship, adding another discipline to the program’s extensive title history.
Carrying a Longstanding Standard
Morehead State has now won national championships in every competitive field it has entered since 1988. The program’s legacy began under Myron Doan and has continued through multiple generations of athletes and coaches.
“There is never a doubt that we are all working toward the same collective goal,” Russell said. “That’s what makes Morehead what it is.”
For many athletes, the championships represent both personal milestones and contributions to a larger history.
“To know I’m part of that legacy is something I’ll always carry,” Ginter said.
Season Continues Beyond Nationals
With nationals complete, the Morehead State cheer program will close out its season supporting Eagle Athletics, including cheering for MSU basketball through the remainder of the winter schedule.
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