After a semester supporting the university’s athletic teams, Marshall University’s cheerleading team is now focusing on its own competition as it recently found out it will compete in the National Cheerleading Association Collegiate Cheer & Dance Championship.

The competition team, which consists of 16 women and four men, will head to Daytona Beach, Florida April 6-10 for the NCA Championship.

“The team has been transitioning to get better,” junior cheerleader Ashley Morgan said. “And I feel that this year, we definitely have what it takes to step it up and compete.”

The team is required to perform a 45-second game-day cheer followed by a two-minute 30-second cheer routine during the event.

In preparation for the championship, Morgan said the team plans on taking a different approach to its typical training routine.

“Practices will become more intense and the team will start two-a-day practices,” Morgan said.

Along with the different training approaches, the team plans to work the score sheet in an effort to be at its strongest when the competition arrives in the spring.

“I am really excited about going to nationals because I heard it was a great experience,” freshman cheerleader Lilly Haley said.

Cheer and dance teams across the country will compete in the event, which consists of two rounds of competition. The Marshall cheer team will continue its game day support for the university’s sports teams while training for the upcoming competition.

The College Cheer & Dance Championship will air on CBS Sports Network.

Danielle Wright can be contacted at [email protected].