Ypsilanti, Mich. – UPIKE Cheer wrapped up a historical run at the 6^th Annual NAIA Competitive Cheer Championships on Saturday, placing eighth of 15 teams. The Bears tallied a 83.83 score and placed the highest of all MSC schools in the event.

The event started on Friday with the Preliminary round where the Bears carded scores of 81.40, 82.90, and 84.60. After a deduction of 0.50, the Bears scored a 82.47 headed into the finals on Saturday. In the partner/group stunts and pyramids sections of the judging criteria, the Bears scored 8.60/10 according to two of the three judges.

In the final round the Bears improved their scores, garnering 83.50, 84.50, and 85.60 in the performance. After a 0.25 deduction, the Bears earned a 84.28 score in the final performance.

Scores for the final standings were determined by taking 25% of the prelim score and 75% of the finals score in which the Bears accumulated an 83.83 which placed them eighth overall. The Bears beat out MSC foe Georgetown who finished ninth with an 82.07 and Cumberlands who scored 76.81, finishing 14^th.

Xavier University (La.) won the national title with a 93.60 while Indiana Wesleyan scored a 92.58 for runner-up. The appearance was the first ever for the UPIKE competitive cheerleading program.