ATLANTA, Ga. - The Western Mustangs turned the heads of the North American cheerleading world last week, leading after the opening day and placing second overall at the highly competitive CheerSport National Championships at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.

Western earned the second-place finish after U.S. top-seed Louisville, a team comprised of both current varsity cheerleaders and some local-area alumni, had a flawless program on Day 2 to come from behind to edge Western for the championship title. 

It is the first time in five years at this event Western placed second, but as Western cheerleading coach David-Lee Tracey (better known as "Trace") said, "Louisville is a ridiculously great program" and had not entered the CheerSport championships in previous years.

"They are the top of the best teams in America and have won 14 national championships for Division 1A teams at Daytona," Trace said. "We outscored them on Day 1 by 8.5 points, and you can count on one hand how many teams have ever outscored the University of Louisville in competition."

Trace said on Day 2, Louisville "cranked out a virtually perfect run and outscored us for the two-day total score win."

He said a "massive" crowd cheered teams on both days, particularly after Western posted the lead over Louisville.

"Despite placing second officially, we are still very proud of our performance," Trace said.

Event organizers also invited Western to compete in the Open Coed Level 6 Division, made up of the elite of the elite cheerleading teams.

Results:
1. University of Louisville (and members of Gym Tyme local club)
2. Western
3. Georgia All-Stars
4. High Fly All-Stars (Alabama)