MOREHEAD, Ky. - Morehead State Cheerleading's
Jessie Ayala and Nick Lutz have qualified as finalists and will compete in the 2017 UCA College Partner Stunt Nationals. The UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship will take place this January 13-15, 2017 in Orlando, FL at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The duo qualified for nationals after submitting a video recording of their partner stunt performance, which was then voted on by the selection committee. Their video received the most votes and received the No. 1 ranking entering nationals in mid-January. They will compete against 15 other couples.
"To qualify for partner stunt has always been one of my dreams and to qualify in consecutive years is one of my greatest accomplishments, not only for myself, but for our team and our program," said Ayala.
"It's a huge personal victory. I've wanted to win partner stunt for a long time, and to qualify first is a huge first step to accomplishing that goal," added Lutz.
When Ayala and Lutz compete in Orlando in January, they will be looking to make it two straight partner stunt titles for Morehead State. Last year, the partner stunt team of
Colin Tipps and
Taylor DeSimone claimed the national title.
Last year, Morehead State cheerleading swept the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) College Nationals, claiming national titles in partner stunt team, all-girl, and coed on Saturday in Orlando, Fla.
With the sweep of championships, MSU cheerleading adds to their tradition of excellence, now holding 39 UCA titles since the program's start in 1988.
1. Morehead State University – Jessie Ayala & Nick Lutz
2. North Carolina State University – Mikayla Raleigh & Brandon Parker
3. University of Louisville – Megan Molina & Chris Ethridge
4. University of Mississippi – Brandi Berry & Brandon Casey
5. Purdue University – Courtney Mundell & Evan Long
6. Wilmington University – Wendy Mayerson &
Benji Marshall
7. The Ohio State University – Lexi Schillig & Carter Marsch
8. Trinity Valley Community College – Jade Regner & Matthew Torres
9. University of West Georgia – Taylor Jordan & Mike McAbee
10. Texas Tech University – Sabrina Garcia & Torrey Ollison
11. Trinity Valley Community College – Lauren Holland & Jeremy Seiver
11. University of South Carolina – Lauren West & Rutland Martin
13. Trinity Valley Community College – Ashleigh Spivey & Johnathan Jackson
14. University of West Georgia – Brittney Castona & Spencer Collier
15. Stephen F. Austin State University – Breanna Canales & James Albright
16. Wilmington University – Emily Szalkowski & Brandon Nunez
Â
