Bowling Green, KY – The University of the Cumberlands cheer team captured the Mid-South Conference Championship Saturday afternoon at Bowling Green Arena, posting a program-record score of 95.08 to secure the conference title. The mark surpasses UC's previous program record of 94.05, which was set earlier this season. The Patriots also swept the conference's individual awards, while several athletes earned All-Mid-South Conference honors. 

This year's championship featured two rounds of competition, with the preliminary round accounting for 25 percent of the final score and the final round making up the remaining 75 percent. 

Cumberlands opened the day with a 95.00 in the preliminary round to take an early lead in the standings. The Patriots followed with a 95.10 in the final round, resulting in the 95.08 overall score to claim first place. 

Georgetown finished second with a 92.28, while Cumberland University placed third with a 79.91. Midway (70.71) and Lindsey Wilson (66.94) rounded out the top five. 

The Patriots also swept the conference's individual awards following the championship. Hannah King was named both the Mid-South Conference Cheerleader of the Year and Freshman Cheerleader of the Year after recording the top score in the all-conference evaluation, which measures stunts, jumps, and tumbling skills. 

In addition, Head Coach RJ Conroy was voted MSC Head Coach of the Year, while Phebe Mchargue earned MSC Assistant Coach of the Year honors. 

Cumberlands placed six athletes on the All-Mid-South Conference First Team, including Ryleigh Bays, Maddy Burns, Ashlynn Gampper, Ella Johnson, Alyssa Kemper, and Hannah King. The Patriots also had four athletes earn Second Team honors, with Kaylee Holtzapple, Kaylee Proffitt, Isabella Smith, and Isabelle Williams receiving recognition. 

With the conference championship victory, Cumberlands also earned an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will take place March 27–28. 

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram @UCPatriots, TikTok @ucpatriots, YouTube Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.