Buckeye Cheerleaders Capture East Region Crown – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Spirit Program
Nov. 4, 2002
Columbus, Ohio-The Ohio State cheerleading squad won the east region of the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Cheerleading National Championship by ways of a qualifying videotape. Ohio State has now won the east region 13 of the past 16 years. The squad was victorious over all other schools in the east region including Kent State, Penn State, Cincinnati, Villanova, Syracuse and Connecticut.
By placing first in their region the Buckeyes receive an all-expense paid bid to the College Cheerleading National Championship January. The squad also receives an automatic bid to the final round of the competition that will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The competition will be televised by ESPN and aired at a later date.
Head choreographer and assistant coach Eddie Hollins is excited to showcase his young talent.
“This year’s routine will be dynamic and full of surprises,” Hollins said. “In the past two years we have introduced new tricks and skills to the sport, which has kept Ohio State in the forefront of college cheerleading. This year will be no different as we have a few more tricks up our sleeve.”
The Buckeyes have placed in the top six three-consecutive years. The team finished sixth in 2000, second in 2001 and sixth again in 2002. The Buckeyes last won the national title in 1993.
Head coach Judy Bunting is optimistic that the squad will be able to continue their recent success.
“This team has worked extremely hard since August,” Bunting said. “We’ve improved in all phases of the sport and we should be a thrilling squad to watch.”
Members of the scarlet squad that put together the qualifying tape include Katy Adcock, Dani Bender, Lauren Boccia, Andi Carty, Liz Daulton, Patrick Fogarty, Mike Fresch, Amy Hawkins, Joe Jackson, Paul Kraft, Katie Pahl, Nick Pfeifer, Dave Reinke, Candice Shubert, Paul Tapaszi, Erik Von Hoch, Courtney Walters and Tara Zinslen. Members of the gray squad also contributed in the qualifying tape.
