The Fresno State Spirit Dance Team — returning to competition for the first time in several years — placed sixth nationally at the 2004 Collegiate Cheer and Dance National Championships presented by the United Spirit Association in Las Vegas recently.
Competing in the College Dance (four year schools) division with more than 22 teams from throughout the country Feb. 29 to March 1, the 11-member Bulldog squad just missed a chance to advance to the next round of national competition in Florida.
The top five teams receive a free trip to that competition in Florida including airfare, hotel and competition entry fees.
But Coach Stacia Swan said the Bulldog Spirit Team was pleased, and surprised, to finish so well after its hiatus from competition.
“Hopefully next year we can be in that top five slot,” Swan said.
First place was won by the University of Southern California followed by the University of Missouri, UCLA, the University of Kentucky and Idaho State.
Fresno State beat out Fullerton, Long Beach State, Boise State, San Diego State and the University of Arizona.
The dancers are part of the university’s Spirit Team that includes Fresno State cheerleaders and the Bulldog mascot Timeout, all who perform at Bulldog athletic events including tonight’s WAC Tournament game at 8:30 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.
