About 75 ULM fans, including faculty, staff, students, parents, local high school students, Ace the ULM Warhawk, and the ULM pep band gathered at Fant-Ewing Coliseum Monday night to welcome home the ULM cheerleaders. The team placed first at the Universal Cheerleading Association National Championship Saturday in Orlando, Fla., competing in the small co-ed division I.

ULM President James Cofer and First Lady Deborah Cofer are in Washington D.C. and could not be at the welcome-home celebration, but they sent their best. “We are extremely proud of our cheerleaders, coaches and spirit group staff,” President Cofer said. “Their perseverance resulted in triumph.”

This is the third national championship title in five years; the team also won in 2004 and 2005.

Captain Tiffany Coker of Monroe will always remember Saturday’s win. This is her fourth year to compete and her second national championship win.

"This has been an amazing year for the cheerleaders. We have had so many great opportunities to show our pride and spirit for ULM. From getting to cheer on our football team and watch them beat Alabama to bringing home our own big win ... It has been a year we will always remember."

Amy Weems, assistant dean of Student Life and Leadership at ULM, expressed her pride in the ULM students.

"We are so proud of our students for their excellent performance and support of each other throughout this competition. UCA is one of the largest and most competitive divisions in the country and our top rankings reflect the leadership of our coaches and spirit group staff."

Participants include:

• Jennifer Sword, ULM Cheer Coach, Monroe
  
• Joanie Williams, ULM Coordinator of Spirit Groups, Monroe
  
• Chase Brett, ULM Choreographer, Laurel, Miss.
  
• Kaci Brodnax, Bastrop
  
• Tiffany Coker, Monroe
  
• Jessica Huskey, Junction City, Ark.
  
• Kristen Hirchak, Alexandria
  
• Peaire Allison, Star, Miss.
  
• Petey Thigpen, Laurel, Miss.
  
• Cameron Gilmore, Mandeville
  
• Stephen Martinez, Midland, Texas
  
• Chris Archie, Star, Miss.
  
• Desmond Ross, West Monroe
  
• Jesse Wells, Downsville
  
• Kristen Gordey, Shreveport
  
• Natalie Connella, Shreveport
  
• Amy Spainhower, Monroe
• Katie Miller, Monroe
• Kristen Gix, Monroe
  
• Casey Madison, Monroe
  
• Kristin Ringle, Monroe
  
• Erin Wooten, Bastrop
  
• Rebecca Reiser, Shreveport

For more information about the ULM Cheerleaders, contact Joanie Williams at (318) 342-5293 or jlwilliams@ulm.edu.



Photo courtesy of Kyle Coker.