PSU Spirit Squad Preps for Nationals - KOAM TV 7

When many spend their Sunday relaxing, the Pitt State cheer squad heads to practice.

All to get ready for the ESPN Universal Cheerleaders Association National Competition.

"We are here doing a sendoff for the national competition it is the ESPN UCA competition, we have just invited everybody to come out and this just gives the friends and families an opportunity to see the routine", says Coach Linda Graham

"This is very important, because normally we have a basketball game that we get to perform at prior to, but we didn't have one, they were away games, so this is great", says Graham.

"It gives a chance to throw this in front of a crowd, and it is harder sometimes to throw it in front of your own fans and your family then it is down there", says Assistant Coach John Rowe.

"There are a lot of people who cant make it all the way to Orlando, so it helps to be able to perform here, so the people who can't make it out there can see what exactly we have been working to put together for them", says cheerleader Lindsey Worley

"We have been invited to this competition since 1995, we practice year long and this is the one time that they get to go out and compete on their own", says Graham.

"It is really nice to come to a school to have no doubt in your mind that you are going to nationals every year, it is a really good feeling", says Worley.

"We had a national championship in 2001 and we are trying to get back to that glory, so it is tough, we keep working hard and pushing for it", says Rowe.

"This is why we do what we do, this the reason that we cheer to be able to go down to Orlando and compete", says cheerleader Jesse Pierce.