ORLANDO, Fla.—Competing for the first time at in the All-Girl Division I competition, the University of Southern Indiana Cheer Team finished 16th at the UCA & UDA College Cheer & Dance Championships Saturday morning.
 
The Screaming Eagles compiled a raw score of 69.1, but were saddled with 8.5 points in deductions for a final event score of 60.6 points.
 
Under the direction of Head Coach Megan Ringer, the Eagles have been working since September in their preparation for Nationals. Ringer had just two seniors on this season's squad, which featured 14 freshmen and two sophomores.
 
USI competed in the semifinals Saturday morning but finished 17 points away from qualifying for the finals. Competing in the Open Cheer Small Coed Division a year ago, the Eagles finished fourth at nationals in 2023.
 
The Eagles finished fifth two years ago and fourth in 2021, when they competed virtually. They were fifth in the Small Coed Division competition in 2020.