Cheer squad lifts, throws its way to national title

The Crimson all-female cheerleaders won the 2012 UCA College National Championship on Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

The squad placed first in the All-Girls division, beating Morehead State, San Diego State, Minnesota, Florida State, South Florida, Western Kentucky, Rutgers and Temple in the final round. Morehead State won the previous two competitions, with IU finishing second in 2011 and fourth in 2010. The Crimson squad is made of 35 members, 25 of whom are from Indiana and four of whom are Bloomington natives.

Five members of the Crimson Squad — Angela Stilwell, Caity Hinshaw, Natalie Skizas, Kirby Lynch and Courtney Bryne — were named to the 2012 Team USA All-Girl Squad, which will compete in April for its second-straight world championship medal. Stilwell and Hinshaw were members of the 2011 championship team.

IU’s co-ed squad, comprised of members from both IU’s Cream (co-ed) and Crimson squads, finished fourth in the nation in the Small Co-Ed division.