WORLD CHAMPIONS: West Virginia Cheerleading Claims Global Glory at UCA & UDA Nationals
In a moment that will be forever etched in West Virginia University history, the Mountaineers Cheerleading Squad has ascended to the highest echelon of their sport — crowned World Champions following a stunning, flawless performance at the 2025 UCA & UDA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
The team’s routine, a seamless blend of elite-level stunts, gravity-defying pyramids, and synchronized tumbling passes, drew unanimous acclaim from both the judges and fans. ESPN analysts were quick to declare the performance “historic,” with veteran commentator Allie Stockton calling it, “The most complete cheer routine we’ve ever seen on this stage. Power, precision, and passion — West Virginia delivered it all.”
A Championship Two Years in the Making
Under the guidance of Head Coach Meghan Daniels, a WVU alumna and former NCAA All-American cheerleader, the Mountaineers spent the past two seasons rebuilding their program from the ground up. After finishing fourth in 2023 and runner-up in 2024, the 2025 squad came into this year’s nationals with a singular mission: to finish what they started.
“We’ve been chasing this dream every single day,” Daniels said, overcome with emotion during the post-victory interview. “This team isn’t just talented — they’re family. They earned every ounce of this title.”
The Performance That Stunned the World
Opening their routine with a thunderous chant of “Let’s Go, Mountaineers!” the squad wasted no time electrifying the crowd. Their stunts reached levels previously unseen at the college level — including a never-before-performed quad-release basket toss that drew a mid-routine standing ovation.
But what truly separated West Virginia from the competition was their storytelling. With a theme titled “From the Hills We Rise,” the routine paid tribute to the state’s coal-mining roots, Appalachian pride, and WVU’s blue-collar grit — blending tradition with athletic artistry in a way that resonated far beyond the arena.
More Than Just a Trophy
With the win, WVU becomes the first public university from the Big 12 Conference to ever win the UCA & UDA Combined Co-Ed Division World Title. It’s not just a victory for the program — it’s a moment of triumph for the entire university, the state of West Virginia, and the generations of fans who’ve supported the team.
University President Dr. E. Gordon Gee issued a statement shortly after the announcement:
> “This championship is a symbol of Mountaineer excellence. It represents who we are: resilient, united, and unafraid to reach for greatness.”
What’s Next?
The Mountaineers are set to be honored with a statewide parade through downtown Morgantown and will throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game later this summer. A Netflix docuseries is also reportedly in early talks to follow their road to the championship, tentatively titled “Spirit of the Mountaineers.”
As the WVU fight song echoed through the arena and gold and blue confetti rained down, one thing became clear — this wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
West Virginia isn’t just on top of the cheerleading world. They are the world.
