ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF Cheerleading squad has been hard at work preparing for the College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships that start Friday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Related: Road to Nationals Blog | National Cheerleading Championships Central
The Knights compete in the semifinals on Saturday at 7:17 p.m. inside the hp Fieldhouse with the top team's advancing to the finals on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. UCF also represents the nation in the World University Cheerleading Championships on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. inside the J Center.
"We have worked very hard this year to prepare a performance that we can execute with confidence, one that will impress the judges and make our UCF fans proud," UCF Cheerleading head coach Linda Gooch said.
UCF is coming off a back-to-back seasons where it finished runner-up to Kentucky (2014) and Alabama (2015). The Knights have put together ten-consecutive, top-four finishes at the event and won the Division IA National Championship in both 2003 and 2007.
Coach Gooch in her 31st season guiding the squad has helped the Knights to a Top-10 result 20 times in the last 22 years.
Fans that want to catch the Knights' routine can attend an open practice at the UCF Education Gymnasium from Noon-3:30 p.m. on Friday. UCF along with a number of other teams competing in the College Cheerleading National Championships will be practicing during the time slot. Admission is free.
College Cheerleading National Championship -- At the ESPN Wide World of Sports
Saturday, January 16th
Division IA College Cheerleading National Championships Semifinals
Semifinals begin at 4:30 p.m. with UCF scheduled to take the floor at 7:17 p.m.
Sunday, January 17th
World University Championship
UCF participates in to represent the USA in the international exhibition. UCF competes at 1:40 p.m.
Division IA College Cheerleading National Championship Finals
Teams will draw for the order of competition after the semifinals. UCF fans are encouraged to come and should plan to be in the HP Fieldhouse no later than 6 p.m. as it will be standing room only. The finals start at 6:30 p.m.
Fans can also get all the latest news and information directly from the UCF cheerleading squad by following them on Twitter (@UCF_CheerTeam) and on Instagram (@ucfcheer) and Facebook.
Story by Nate Blythe. Photo by Chris Schubert