University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Cheer Enjoys Pair of National Finishes in Recent UCA and UDA Championships
1/27/2026 3:00:00 PM | General, Cheer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss cheerleading team earned a 4th- and 6th-place national showing earlier this month at the UCA and UDA Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships.
The fourth-place national showing came in the Small Coed D1A category, while the sixth-place finish was for the Small Coed D1A Gameday category, both proving to be the highest finishes in the school's history.
"The last 2 1/2 years have been a whirlwind," said Southern Miss Cheer coach Ashton Jennings. "We invested heavily in the work on the front end with recruiting, completely changing the face of the program, building relationships with alumni and with the community, raising the standards and expectations and really controlling the process instead of just trusting it.
"Seeing success come this quickly isn't typical, but these athletes bought in, and their belief is translating to results. We're proud of the direction this program is heading."
The 4th-place finish shows the team's emergence as a consistent cheer squad as the routine reflected months of disciplined preparation with emphasis on technique and execution. The Gameday routine encapsulated the spirit of collegiate athletics, while maintaining technical excellence and showcasing Southern Miss traditions.
Beyond the scoresheet, the weekend reinforced the program's growing culture of excellence.
The fourth-place national showing came in the Small Coed D1A category, while the sixth-place finish was for the Small Coed D1A Gameday category, both proving to be the highest finishes in the school's history.
"The last 2 1/2 years have been a whirlwind," said Southern Miss Cheer coach Ashton Jennings. "We invested heavily in the work on the front end with recruiting, completely changing the face of the program, building relationships with alumni and with the community, raising the standards and expectations and really controlling the process instead of just trusting it.
"Seeing success come this quickly isn't typical, but these athletes bought in, and their belief is translating to results. We're proud of the direction this program is heading."
The 4th-place finish shows the team's emergence as a consistent cheer squad as the routine reflected months of disciplined preparation with emphasis on technique and execution. The Gameday routine encapsulated the spirit of collegiate athletics, while maintaining technical excellence and showcasing Southern Miss traditions.
Beyond the scoresheet, the weekend reinforced the program's growing culture of excellence.
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