MOBILE, Ala. – University of Mobile competitive cheer team won the first-ever Southern States Athletic Conference Cheer Championship on Saturday, Jan. 28. This is also the first year that competitive cheer has been a sport at University of Mobile.

Mobile and Loyola met at Ms. Daphne's Cheernastics in Satsuma Friday for a dual competition before the conference meet. Loyola defeated the Rams in that competition. In the next round Mobile got revenge and took home the conference title.

"The routine we put on the floor Friday, when we faced Loyola, was not our best performance" said Head Coach Kami Whiteis. "We made some small adjustments that made a big impact on the final result today. I could not be prouder of this team winning the first SSAC Cheer Championship."

Mobile finished with a score of 68.5. Loyola took second-place (64.1) and defending NAIA National Champion Martin Methodist finished third (51.3).

"We are very proud of our team and what they have accomplished," said University of Mobile Associate Athletic Director Kris Nelson. "Coach Whiteis has done a phenomenal job developing a competitive team and overcoming many hurdles that come with a first-year program."

The Rams cheer team has its sights set on a national championship. The next step toward that goal is the Regional Qualifier that takes place Feb. 18 in Oklahoma City.

"We are dealing with injuries that required us to remove some difficulty from our routine," said Whiteis. "Over the next few weeks, we will work on adding that difficulty back in to improve our scores at the NAIA Regional Qualifier in Oklahoma City."

"The hard work and dedication of the team is encouraging and is paying off," said Nelson. "They have set a high standard for the future."

Rams recognized with awards are:

Jacob Hildreth - Cheer All-Conference Team, Peyton Cooley - Cheer All-Conference Team and Cheer All-Academic Team, Joshua Schlehuber - Cheer All-Academic Team, Alexis Williams - Cheer All-Academic Team and Mallory Patterson - Cheer Champions of Character.

The Rams roster of competitive team cheerleaders also includes: Austin Garner, Kaylee Sellers, Shan'te Johnson, Kaitie Holderfield, Tyra Jones, Ashley McNorton, Hannae Smyly, Madison Knowles, Madison Verkouille and Cameryn Kegley

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. For more information about University of Mobile, visit the website at UMobile.edu.