Missouri State University

The Missouri State University spirit squads recently returned from Orlando, Fla., with solid performances at the  2010 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, January 15-17.

The national rankings for the teams qualified them to earn an automatic berth and partially-paid trip to the national event, which was held at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

The Missouri State Cheer Squad finished third in the Division 1 co-ed competition. Morehead State won the division, while Delaware was second.  Sam Houston State (fourth) and Texas State (fifth) rounded out the top five finishers.

In the dance categories, the Sugar Bears took fifth place in the Division 1 Hop-Hop division and 11th in the Division 1 Jazz competition. Delaware won the Hip-Hop event, followed by Illinois-Chicago, Milwaukee, Temple and MSU. Cal State-Fullerton, Cal State-Long Beach and Delaware were the top three finishers in the Jazz category.

"I am very proud of the hard work and effort of the MSU Spirit Squads," said Susan Brown, spirit squads coordinator and Sugar Bears coach at Missouri State. "They did an excellent job of representing the University at the highest levels of competition and had an unforgettable experience."

The Missouri State cheerleaders are coached by Nikki Love-Adkins.

Last year at nationals, the Sugar Bears finished fourth in the Division 1 Dance event, and fifth in Division 1 Hip-Hop category, while the Cheerleaders were third in the Division I Co-Ed Cheer competition.