ORLANDO, Fla. – When you've won four consecutive national championships, expectations are high at the 2024 UCA Nationals.
 
There is also a lot of pressure to sustain that success.
 
With all that weight on their shoulders, the Sacred Heart University Cheerleading Team was in contention the entire way before taking a pair of third-place finishes.
 
In the Open All Girls Game Day division, which included 37 teams, the Pioneers (98.40) came within hundredths of a point of first and second (98.80, 98.46) places.
 
Sixteen teams battled it out in the Division 1 All Girl competition. SHU earned 87.4 points, which was 7.5 behind the leader.
 
"To be on the podium behind two powerhouse programs in All Girl Division 1 is a huge accomplishment, and to have done this two years in a row is remarkable," said Sacred Heart Head Coach CJ Sereno. "Game Day had the most teams ever in the division this year, and we were .06 away from second and .4 away from first. When the scores are that tight you can't even be upset." 
 
SHU was the 2020 national champions in Division 1 All Girl before following up with Open All Girl Game Day national titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
 
Sereno reflected more on this year's accomplishment. "We had many obstacles to overcome this year. The girls were resilient and persevered. This is the most difficult and elite routine this program has ever competed in, and this was another very successful nationals for our program. We are very proud of the girls and how far they've come."