TOPEKA, Kan. – The UT Southern cheer team competed on the national stage at the 2026 Nfinity NAIA Competitive Cheer National Championship, finishing 10th overall at the Stormont Vail Events Center.
The Firehawks opened competition Friday with a strong preliminary routine, posting a score of 84.12 to position themselves among the nation's top programs heading into the final day. UT Southern's performance highlighted solid execution across stunts and tumbling as the team competed in a loaded 15-team field.
In Saturday's finals, the Firehawks elevated their performance with a score of 86.04, securing a top-10 national finish to cap the 2026 season.
Preliminary Round Standings
- St. Ambrose (Iowa) – 93.42
- Oklahoma City – 92.92
- Indiana Wesleyan – 91.88
- Xavier (La.) – 91.58
- Dickinson State (N.D.) – 89.82
- Cumberlands (Ky.) – 89.73
- Missouri Valley – 86.05
- Northwestern (Iowa) – 84.97
- UT Southern (Tenn.) – 84.12
- Saint Mary (Kan.) – 82.98
- Taylor (Ind.) – 82.52
- Lourdes (Ohio) – 81.85
- Florida Memorial – 81.47
- Madonna (Mich.) – 80.77
- Baker (Kan.) – 83.23
Final Standings
- Xavier (La.) – 96.13
- Indiana Wesleyan – 92.72
- St. Ambrose (Iowa) – 91.75
- Cumberlands (Ky.) – 91.73
- Oklahoma City – 91.48
- Dickinson State (N.D.) – 90.46
- Missouri Valley – 88.44
- Florida Memorial – 86.61
- Northwestern (Iowa) – 86.40
- UT Southern (Tenn.) – 86.04
- Taylor (Ind.) – 83.67
- Saint Mary (Kan.) – 82.46
- Lourdes (Ohio) – 82.42
- Madonna (Mich.) – 81.23
- Baker (Kan.) – 80.94
UT Southern's national appearance caps a successful campaign that included multiple event wins and a podium finish at the Southern States Athletic Conference Championship. The Firehawks continued to show growth throughout the season, culminating in a strong showing against the NAIA's top competition.
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