DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Competing at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals for the third year in a row, the Christopher Newport University competition cheerleading squad fired a deduction-free routine in the prelims on Friday morning and are tied for second in the Intermediate All-Girl Division III Category. The Captains will advance to compete in the finals on Saturday with an opportunity to capture the team's second national title in three years.

The Captains scored a 95.6296 and are currently tied with Bridgewater State University for second place. North Central College, out of Naperville, Illinois, currently leads the 17-team field with a 96.1111 score on day one. Piedmont University (94.9259) and Endicott College (93.2963) round out the top five teams. 

"This team has put in an incredible amount of work to prepare for this moment," said head coach Erica Flanigan. "From day one, our focus has been on being the most prepared team possible -- ready for anything, no matter the circumstance. This is our most challenging routine yet, and they've trained relentlessly to be able to hit it with confidence. What makes me most proud is how they've shown up for one another every single day. Their commitment to their teammates and coaches is something truly special."

CNU was one of only six teams to register a deduction-free routine in Friday's pre-lims. In addition to the top five teams, 11th place Fitchburg State also recorded a deduction free effort. 

The Captains earned a raw score of 86.0667 in their performance on Thursday. That mark is the third highest effort by Christopher Newport since the team started competing in the NCA College Nationals in 2024. 

Performances are graded in multiple categories with stunts, pyramid skills, tosses, standing tumbling, and running tumbling all included in the scoring by NCA College judges. 

Fans are able to subscribe to watch live and on demand at tv.varsity.com. Following Saturday's championship round, the award ceremony will also be streamed live at the The Bandshell in Florida at 2:00 p.m. 

CNU won its first NCA College National Championship in 2024 and finished third overall in 2025. The Captains also captured four Cheer Ltd. College Open National Championships with the first in 2014 and three straight from 2017-19. 

Intermediate All Girl Division III

Pre-lims

Rank	Program Name	Raw Score	Deductions	Event Score
1	North Central College	86.5	0	96.1111
T2	Christopher Newport University	86.0667	0	95.6296
T2	Bridgewater State University	86.0667	0	96.6296
4	Piedmont University	85.4333	0	94.9259
5	Endicott College	83.9667	0	93.2963
6	Muskingum University	82.2667	0.5	90.9074
7	Keene State College	81.7667	0.25	90.6019
8	Curry College	82.8667	1.75	90.3241
9	Worcester Polytechnic Institute	80.0667	0.75	88.213
10	SUNY Cortland	80.9	1.75	88.1389
11	Fitchburg State University	79.1667	0	87.963
12	Salisbury University	79.3333	0.75	87.3981
13	SUNY New Paltz	75.2667	2.5	81.1296
14	Eastern Connecticut State	73.7333	1.75	80.1759
15	Fredonia State University	72.5667	4	76.6296
16	University of Olivet	64.5333	3.75	67.9537
17	University of Mary Washington	63.7667	3	67.8519