April 8, 2006
Photo Gallery
The Terps won the 2006 National Cheerleaders Association Division I National Championship with a score of 9.31 out of a possible 10. They edged the five-time consecutive national champion Louisville Cardinals by .13 and scored higher than 28 other Division I cheer teams for the win.
Head Coach Lura Fleece spoke about the thrill of taking the title. "I have so much respect for Louisville's program, so being able to score higher is truly an honor. I just feel so proud. We had the right group this year and everything paid off."
Maryland's routine was everything they had hoped for. The opening jump and standing-tuck sequence was perfect, sending Fleece into a frenzy.
"Once the music started and that section hit," she said, "I knew we were on a roll."
After the tumbling, the team moved into their first partner stunt section. The ball-up heel stretch partner stunts showed off the strength of the bases and the flexibility of the five flyers. Their presence in the air when they pulled bow-and-arrows caused the crowd to erupt.
Captain Annie Turro said she could feel the energy between the spectators and the team.
"You just feed off it. You put so much more into each section because you can tell the routine is going well from the crowd's reaction. It definitely gets your adreneline going."
Both pyramid sequences went off without a hitch, something Fleece is immensely proud of.
"All season long we worried about our second pyramid. The second layer flyers get tossed to the top with their back to the stunt, so they can't see where they need to land. It was very challenging for us, but they made it look easy out there."
The mistakes that were made at pre-lims were nothing more than memories at finals. Every standing and running tumbling pass was completed without a touchdown. The scale partner stunt that fell in pre-lims only bobbled slightly at the top. Coach Fleece was relieved that every double-down was complete as well.
"I was most worried about having a small deduction here and there for incomplete double-downs because two groups occasionally land a little short. But all the flyers waited and got around clean."
The National Title is a huge honor for the Terps, just as it is for any other Division I team in any other sport. Fleece gushed after hearing the final scores and wiping away tears.
"Just to know that all of our hard work is paying off...there just isn't anything else like winning this."
The win is a cornerstone for Fleece who, after 13 years, will not be returning as head coach. Fleece is responsible for lobbying the athletic department to recognize competitive cheer as a sport for the better part of her time as coach. Maryland has gone down in history as the first university in the country to do so.
"I'm sure this will show everyone what recognition as a varsity sport can do for cheer teams. Three years ago we finished in seventh place and now we're accepting the national title trophy."
The win is incredibly impressive considering the perennial powerhouse Louisville Cardinals have won the title for the past five consecutive years. Maryland won the title in 1999, but had not come close since last year's second place finish.
As expceted, talk of Maryland becoming the new cheer dynasty filled the air as the Terps accepted their trophy in front of thousands of onlookers.
Junior Kari Grow wasn't only focused on this year's win either, but looked to the future of the Maryland program.
"I hope this is the start of our reign," Grow said.
University of Maryland 9.31
University of Louisville 9.18
University of South Carolina 8.63
Kennesaw State University 8.79
University of Georgia 8.65
Rutgers University 8.42
Quinnipiac University 8.07
Stephen F. Austin University 8.14
University of Mass. - Amherst 8.78
University of Missouri 8.33
University of Florida 7.93
University of New Hampshire 7.88
Villinova University 7.91
