The IU Southeast cheerleaders captured the national championship in the All-Girl Medium Collegiate Division over Winthrop University (NCAA Division I) on Saturday (3/21) evening. To win the championship, IU Southeast competed in Myrtle Beach, S.C with 17 other schools ranging from NAIA to NCAA Division I. 

The team comprised of 13 girls was led by senior Valarie DeVore (Sellersburg, Ind. -- New Albany H.S.). This is the first national title for any program in the IU Southeast athletic department.  

IU Southeast also won the CANAM Sportsmanship Award during the three-day competition. The award was given for outstanding sportsmanship by fans, competitors, and coaches during the weekend's competition. A monetary donation will be given  to the IU Southeast cheerleading program and to a charity of the team's choosing.   

The trip to nationals was the first for the IU Southeast cheerleading program under the direction of fourth-year head coach Kaelin Abbott (Sellersburg, Ind.) and assistant coaches Portia Steele (Corydon, Ind.) and Lydia Stephenson (Jeffersonville, Ind.).