Xavier University of Louisiana’s Competitive Cheer Team (XULA Cheer) has no fear of pressing forward and taking titles! The 2022 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) champions in Cheer, the XULA Cheer Team continues to prove its tenacity with the multiple victories and recognitions it earned during the NCA Cheer Camp in Daytona, Florida, held July 29-31. 

During the camp, XULA Cheer was awarded:  

-A Gold Bid to Nationals
-Best Overall Team at Camp 
-Best Game Day Routine  
-Most Spirited 
-Best Rally Routine 
-Most Collegiate Team 
-Winner of the Crowd Segment 
-Three All-American Recognitions 

“The heart of the team is so strong. We have some really driven athletes who come from some of the best programs in the world, and that desire to want to be this collegiate level program that is modeled across the country is so strong,” said Glenn Caston, head cheer coach and social justice and inclusion officer. “We have a really strong system in place for our team, for everything from academics to athletic performance, to how we get on the bus, to how we start practice... It allows us to be successful and focus on the things that really matter.” 

Though all the first-place finishes of the team are impressive, the most prestigious and coveted is the Gold Bid. A Gold Bid is a direct invitation for XULA Cheer to compete in the largest collegiate national championship in the world, the National Cheer Association (NCA) and National Dance Alliance (NDA) Championship. The Gold Bid also allows the team additional perks, including access to priority registration and waived fees to ease the financial burden on the program. XULA Cheer will be surrounded by the best of the best in the country in the competition. The exceptional skills and impressive routines that XULA Cheer performed earned them their rightful place in the national competition.  

Caston, excited to work with the team this year, proudly stated that, in his opinion, “[XULA Cheer] arguably has the best coaching staff and best athletes in the country.” He declared that XULA Cheer was ready to “take back the gold” and be the 2024 champions. 

“None of this could happen without us all having the same common goal, loving cheer and knowing that no matter what we go through, the bigger goal is to get the work done and get [the] championship!” said Head XULA Cheer Captain Kelsey White. “We’re not done... This year, we are taking all the marbles.” 

According to Caston, less than 10% of people in the nation receive the Gold Bid. He also shared that if it wasn’t restricted to one bid per team, XULA Cheer actually would have received two bids thanks to their recognition as the best overall team and the team’s victory in the crowd segment.  

The dynamic and synchronized routines of XULA Cheer captured the attention of all in attendance, embodying the essence of true school spirit and athleticism and setting the standard. In an email to Caston, Bill Boggs, the Vice President of the NCA, expressed his prodigious impression of XULA Cheer. 

“Wow! What a great job [XULA Cheer] did...” Boggs wrote. “We all love that camp and look forward to going back next year and seeing you all there... We hope to see you in April in Daytona!” 

XULA Cheer’s infectious energy and unwavering enthusiasm have united the cheer community, making them stand out for their dedication to spreading XULA pride nationwide.  

Both White and Caston expressed how valuable the team found the three-day camp in Daytona for the growth and development of the team. Caston excitedly revealed that the team successfully learned new skills that they can’t wait to show their diligent support network, which Caston boasts is the best in the country. He noted that XULA Cheer was encouraged and backed by the vast Xavierite family, including campus resources that aim to help students succeed holistically, both on and off the mat.  

“Our students know why they touch that mat and why they come every day- because we’ve invested a great deal of time getting them to understand how they fold into the bigger context of the university, specifically around the mission [of the university] and social justice,” shared Caston. “Potential is nothing without performance and practice.”