ULM Cheerleading team wins national championship at College Classic Nationals

Published April 14, 2026

Members of the ULM Cheerleading team pose after winning the national championship in Orlando, Florida.

CAPTION:The ULM Cheerleading team won its 6thNational Championship at the College Classic Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla.


MONROE, La.– ˶Cheerleading teamhas claimed its 6thNational Championship, taking home first place intheSmall Co-Ed Traditional division at the College Classic Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla., from April 10-12, 2026.Members of the team also competed in the All-Girl Group Stunt Competition.

The team took home the title after coming out on top in a field of eight teams in their division that includednotablecompetitorsOral Roberts University and the University of South Alabama.

“This championship is a direct reflection of the discipline, sacrifice, and standard our athletes chose to uphold every single day,” said ULM Cheerleading Head Coach Sammi Spivey Tucker.“Theydidn’tjust want to win; they committed to doing things the right way, even when it was hard.I’mincredibly proud of how theyrepresentedour university on the national stage. This marks the second national championshipwe’vebrought home in my four years here, andit’sa testament to the culture these athletes continue to build and protect. ULM Cheer continues to rise,”she added.

The team of 24 includes seven returning athletes and 17 new members. The team faced adversity by losingsixmembersin the lead-up to Nationals, whichrequiredmultiple routineadjustments throughout the season.After receivinga 1.25 deductiononthe first day of competition, the team rebounded on day two, receiving no deductions and securing the championship.

This championship win comes after the team was unable to compete in the 2025 Nationals due to injuries.In2023,the team won the Collegiate All-Girl National Championship and was the 2024 Collegiate Small Co-Ed National Runner-Up.

Spivey Tucker said that the final routine, for which the team received zero deductions, was the most difficult routine performed byULM Cheerin over a decade. The team was also awarded the special “Wow Moment” award for executing an elite-level pyramid.

LydiaDarDar, a Pre-Physical Therapymajor from DeQuincy, La., isone ofthe teamcaptains.“Over the past three years, this team has become like family to me, so ending my final season as captain and as a national champion is incredibly special. Nationals was such an amazing experience. We never lost sight of our goal and performed when it mattered most. This title means so much because of everythingwe’vebeen through together,” saidDarDar.

Freddie Lewis, a Social Work major from Monroe, served as themalecaptain. “This year has beenvery challengingfor ULM Cheer, but walking away as national champions is a powerful reflection of God’s promises and our team’s unwavering faith. We persevered together as a family through early mornings, and through the blood, sweat, and tears poured into this program. Itruly believethere is no team in the nation that works harder than my brothers and sisters and I on this team. We overcame so much throughout the season, and to now experience the rewards of thathard workis incredibly meaningful. This championship is a testament to our resilience, unity, and belief in one another,” said Lewis.

In addition to Head Coach Sammi Spivey Tucker, the ULMCheerleading coaching staff features Assistant Coach Anna Bennett and Physical Trainer Mara Brown.

The 2025-2026 ULM Cheerleading roster includes: Shelby Baker, Haleigh Baylor Nard, Kimberly Burtram,De’AubriBently, Brilynn Carroll, Hailey Clifton, LydiaDarDar(Captain), Riley Day, Sara-KatherineFreeland, Taylor Ann Harding (Captain), Alyssa Hodges, Elizabeth Ivey, Camille Jeansonne, Chandler Jones, Freddie Lewis (Captain), Makenzie Mitchell,DeahvionneMoore, Raygen Monk, Alaiyah Norwood,JaislynnRay, Carlissa Smith, Mallory Steen, Shelby Paige Ware, and Raegan West.