NEWPORT NEWS— The Christopher Newport Competition Cheerleaders were crowned national champions for the second time in three years on Saturday afternoon when the Captains earned the sixth national championship in program history. Earning the second NCA title in the Intermediate All-Girls Division III category, the Captains defeated 16 of the top teams from around the nation.
“We are so incredibly proud of this team. They have put in relentless work all season long, staying committed to one another and growing into a true family,” said head coach Erica Flanigan. “From day one, their goal was clear — to bring home another national championship — and they never wavered. This is a special group that we will never forget. This moment is a testament to what hard work, belief, and unity truly look like. Coach Emily (Nuttycombe) and I could not be more proud!”
With a score of 96.2199 in the finals on Saturday, the Captains celebrated the top performance at the NCA College Nationals in the Ocean Center Arena in Daytona, Florida. Christopher Newport was crowned at the Bandshell during a 2:00 p.m. awards ceremony as the Captains edged out Bridgewater State University with a 95.9213 for the championship.
The victory is the sixth title since 2014 after capturing the first NCA National Championship in 2024. CNU also secured national championship trophies in 2014 and each year from 2017-19 when competing at the Cheer Ltd. College Open. All six have been won under the direction of Coach Flanigan, who has guided the Captains since 2006.
After Friday’s preliminary round, Christopher Newport was tied for second with Bridgewater State after a deduction-free routine. On Saturday, CNU incurred a 0.25-point deduction but still sailed to victory with a raw score of 87 to win the title by just under three-tenths of a point. Rounding out the top five behind Bridgewater State was Piedmont University (94.8704), North Central College (95.0347), and Endicott College (93.4421).