Misericordia University
CHEERLEADING
"Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress."
~Loyd Alexander
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Cougar Cheerleaders Finish 9th in UCA's College Nationals

The Misericordia University cheerleaders attended UCA Nationals in Orlando, Florida on January 17 -21, 2008.  The team qualified for Nationals in early November, and they have been working hard since qualifying to represent the university at the national competition.  MU competed in semi-finals on Saturday morning; they were ranked number eight in their division.  They advanced to the finals with the top ten teams in the All-Girl Division II category.  Late Saturday afternoon, MU competed against nine other division II and III schools from across the United States in the All-Girl finals. Misericordia finished ninth in their division.  Southern Connecticut State University was the runner-up in the All-Girl II Division and West Georgia University took home the championship.   



Links to the UCA Nationals results and coverage can be found at  http://www.varsity.com/vwired/08ucaudacoll.asp or
http://www.varsity.com/index.asp?article=3615#results

ALL-Girl Division II National Ranking

1.  University of West Georgia 
2.  Southern Connecticut State University 
3.  Fairmont State University 
4.  The College of New Jersey 
5.  University of New York at Fredonia 
6.  Concord University 
7.  University of Scranton 
8.  Texas A&M University - Kingsville 
9.  Misercordia University 
10. Avila University
Cougar Stunt Group 
Takes Top Honors
The MU cheer program attended the first annual Gold Cup Cheer Challenge hosted by Delaware Valley College on February 24, 2008.  The Misericordia Gold Group placed first in the college stunt division.  Members of the gold group include Heather Elo, Stephanie Yunko, Amy Werner, Kristina Paddock and Katie Sokolas.  The team hit 
a solid performance to beat out 
Gwynned-Mercy and The College of 
New Jersey.  PSU Berks and 
Lackawana College also had stunt 
group performances.  The team 
placed second in the college all-girl 
division.  The College of New Jersey
took home the College All-Girl
Championship.
 
The MU cheerleaders would like to  thank friends and family who attended the event to support the team!
MU Cheerleaders Participate in Luzerne County's Annual 
Buddy Walk
The Misericordia University Cheerleaders participated in Luzerne County Down Syndrome Network's Buddy Walk.  The annual event took place at Kirby Park on Saturday, September 13, 2008.  
The Cougar cheerleaders would like to thank the students, faculty members, friends and family members who sponsored the team this year.  With their help the Cougar cheerleaders were able to donate $595 to the Down Syndrome Network. A special thanks the Erica Cahn, a freshmen member of the team, who pulled in $150 in donations from her family and friends.
MU Cheerleader Take First in Float Competition
The Misericordia Cheerleaders took first place in the homecoming  float competition for the third consecutive year.  The team worked together to produce a float that represented the 2008 homecoming parade's theme, "Parade of Champions".  The parade was part of MU's week long homecoming celebration.

MU Cheer Program
Recognize Senior Members
During the last home basketball game of the 2008-2009 season, senior members of the MU cheerleading team were recognized for their accomplishments with the program.  Tanya Earley and captain Stephanie Yunko are the two seniors departing Misericordia this year.  
Steph Yunko is a four year member of the MU cheer team.  She will graduate in May with a degree in Medical Imaging.  During her four years with the program, Stephanie attended NCA Nationals and UCA Nationals were she helped lead her team to a ninth place in finish in the finals.Stephanie was also a member of numerous award winning stunt groups.  
Steph was named Rookie of the Year in 2005-2004 season and she was voted MVC in both her sophomore and junior years.
Tanya was a member of the MU cheer team for two years.  She participated in the UCA Nationals during her junior year where the team placed ninth.  She will graduate in May.  The MU cheer program wishes success in her future endeavors.
MU Cheer Program Raises Money for  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital




On February 17, 2009 the MU Cheer program organized Cougar for a Cure, an event which raised money for the Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.  The night was a huge success!  With the help of the MU dance team, a local all-star cheerleading team, and the support of MU athletics, the event raised $1,320.05 for St. Jude's Hospital.  
The night's events included a half-time performance from the West Side Starz, a local youth cheerleading team that works to be competitive at a national level.  The cheerleaders, ranging in age from 6-11, gave a fantastic, energetic performance.  The team also presented MU cheerleaders with $256.00 in donations which they gathered from various sponsors.  

A big thanks to all MU students, faculty, staff  and fans who purchased bracelets, T-shirts, raffle tickets and pins to support a great cause!
At Right:  
Members of the West Side 
Shining Starz pose with the Cougar 
before their half-time performance. 
Steph Yunko, MU Cougar and Tanya Earley
Misericordia Cheerleaders Finish Season in First
.
The MU cheerleaders attended Complete Cheer  and Dance's Moai Madness Championship on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Temple University.  The Cheerleaders gave an OUSTANDING performance and their efforts earned them a first place finish over local schools.  The team was led by captain Brittany McCauley; her energy and leadership has been invaluable this season. Congratulations to the entire team for winning the title.  The perseverance, dedication and positive attitudes they demonstrated throughout the season made this victory possible.  
In addition to winning the All-Girl Division at Moai Madness, The Misericordia Cheerleaders were also presented with a specialty award for Best Cheer of the day.  

Final Results of Saturday's Competition:
1. Misericordia University
2. Delaware Valley College
3. Penn State Altoona
4. Jefferson Community College
Misericordia University Attends UCA Cheer Camp at
Southern Connecticut State University
Twenty members of Misericordia's cheer team traveled to Southern CT to attend cheer camp on August 1-4, 2009.  The team attends camp to learn new material, learn safe and creative stunts and pyramids for their upcoming year and share and collect ideas on how to raise school 
spirit.  
Misericordia was represented well by the Cougar cheer squad.  On the final day of camp the team competed against other large All-Girl teams attending the summer college session.  MU took home a third place trophy for their sideline performance and a fourth place trophy in the cheer category.  In addition, three members of the MU team, Stephanie May, Jordan Marzani and Ann Neary were asked to join UCA's staff of instructors.  
Brittany McCauley and Stephanie May were announced as the 2009 - 2010 team captains during the August camp sessions.

Spring Evaluations
Attention Incoming Freshmen, Transfers and Current Students
MU Cheerleading Program announes Spring Evaluation Date:  April 24, 2010 from 10-2 at the Anderson Athletic Complex.  Any incoming freshmen, transfers, or current students interested in cheering in the 2010-2011 season should plan to attend the evaluation. Please click here for registration forms and more information.  MU also welcomes high school sophomores and juniors at attend the event in order to experience the cheer program at Misericordia as well as tour the MU campus.
MU Cheerleaders Compete at UCA Nationals
The MU Cheerleaders began practicing in October, and from the start their goal was to return to UCA Nationals in the 09-10 season. 
On January 16-18, 2010, MU cheerleaders competed in Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex at the College National Championship.  MU cheerleaders entered the semi-finals with a perfect score on their crowd involvement evaluation and a seventh place finish in the skills video submission. 
The lady Cougars finished 9th in the semi-finals, where they competed against 16 other Division II and III All-Girl teams. The Cougars missed advancing to the finals by 7/10 of a point.