NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Savannah State cheerleading team won the Jam-bash Series Elite Division I Coed Collegiate Cheer category national championship this weekend at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Jam-bash series is part of the Jamfest Cheer and Dance Series. SSU beat Fisk University to claim the title. Head coach Kellie Fletcher combined athletes from SSU's blue and orange squad to comprise a 26 person team.

“Our warm-ups went really well,” Fletcher said. “I felt immediately confident in our abilities as we hit the floor.  Our routine wasn't perfect. But they recovered, which is something I tell them in practice to do. They did a good job recovering.”

The Tigers two minute and twenty-three second routine consisted of a jump sequence, basket tosses,  a pyramid, standing tumbling, running tumbling, dance, individual partner stunts, and an opening sequence.

“This team was more ready for competition at this time of the year, then any other Savannah State cheerleading squad I've had,” Fletcher added. “Everyone tried their best, even with the mistakes, it was apparent they were working hard.”

Fletcher has planned multiple competitions prior to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in mid-March, in order to prepare the Tigers for the championship.

“I feel better about our chances at the MEAC because of this competition,” Fletcher said. “Each year we do a little better (at the MEAC Championship). I know that we'll score higher this year, because of the increased difficulty of this year's routine.”  

Savannah State will compete in the Cheersport Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia February 15-17, before the MEAC Championship on March 10 in Norfolk, Virginia.