The SFU spirit programs concluded their 2026 season on the national stage from April 8-12.
The cheer squad competed at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Collegiate Championship in Daytona Beach, while the Dance Team represented the University at the Dance Team Union (DTU) College Classic in Orlando.
Head coach John Anderson said reaching nationals reflects program growth and sustained commitment by the members of both teams.
“To compete at the national level, it takes a lot of extra practice and fundraising,” Anderson said. “It meant a lot for us to put in the work and get down there.”
Anderson said the two teams raised $60,000 over a two-year period to fund the trip. The cheer team competed in the Division I Spirit Rally category at NCA Nationals, finishing sixth out of 11 teams after advancing through preliminary rounds. The group overcame 26 hours of travel with limited rest to place in the top six nationally.
Brooke Maines, a junior Nursing major from Hollidaysburg, serves as a captain on the cheer team.
“Over the past two years, my team has lost and gained many teammates,” Maines said. “The routine has been adjusted many times, and hours have been spent perfecting the routine.”
Maines said that the final performance in Daytona Beach reflected the team’s growth and resilience.
“What I remember most about that moment was my feelings of pride for my team. Everyone came together and performed the best they have all season.”
The Red Flash Dance Team competed in both the Pom and Jazz divisions in Orlando, facing off against several large Division I schools. The team placed 13th in Pom and advanced to the finals in Jazz, finishing 14th in its division.
Gia Glass, a junior Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy double-major from Erie, is one of the captains of the dance team.
“It was honestly hard,” Glass said about this season. “We had to fundraise for every dollar (for this trip).”
Glass said that the national stage high-lighted her team’s unity and dedication.
“Each and every girl on this team put their heart out on that stage,” Glass said. “Regardless of the outcome, we persevered with positive energy and gratitude for one another.”
Both the cheer and dance teams credited the SFU Pep Band for assisting with a custom fight song recording that was used during competition, one which Anderson said helped elevate their performances.
Maines appreciated the opportunity to compete on a national stage with her friends.
“Nationals was a surreal experience,” she said. “From team dinners to practices to competing, I was able to spend time with my team.”
Glass said she hopes her teammates remember the bonds that the group established over the course of the season and this trip.
“I hope this experience will be remembered as a time that our team came together as one. We performed on that stage with passion and determination.”
