The Pitt cheerleading squad and dance team recently traveled to Daytona Beach for the 2007 NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheerleading and Dance National Championships. The largest cheer and dance competition in the US, featuring over 200 competing teams.

In prelims the Panthers' Cheer squad scored a 7.65 to edge out the likes of Penn State, Kansas State, Robert Morris and Providence and advance to the finals. In the finals, a score of 8.39 earned the Panthers their top-10 finish. The Squad won the 2007 Challenge Cup and finished in eighth place overall in the All-Girl Division I category.

The Pitt Dance team earned their top-20 finish with a score of 8.26 in the preliminary round of the Division IA category. "I was extremely pleased with our placement in this year's Cheerleading and Dance National Championships. Our goal is to continue to stay at the forefront of college cheerleading and dance while never losing sight of being an ambassador to the University," said Cheer and Dance Coach Theresa Nuzzo

"Our focus at the University of Pittsburgh is game presentation and a support role for our athletic teams," said Theresa Nuzzo. "Membership in the University of Pittsburgh Cheer and Dance Teams takes vast time management skills and discipline while being a full time student. We will continue to hold the University in high regard and look forward to success in the future."

Highlights of this year's competition will be aired on Fox Sports Net at the end of April.