DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Thiel College cheer team placed third Saturday in the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.
 

It was the Tomcats' third appearance at the NCA College Nationals, finishing as runners-up in 2022, before winning the national championship in 2023.
 

Thiel was second in the 10-team Cheer Spirit Rally Open division after Thursday's preliminary round with a score of 88.6. They scored 86.01 in the final round Saturday to finish third.
 

Penn State Behrend finished first while the University of Texas at Dallas finished second.
 

Led by seniors Emma Galiardi (Pittsburgh, Pa./Riverview) and Mikala Wyss (Damascus, Ohio/West Branch), Thiel's cheer team finished a run that culminated with three top-three finishes and a national championship.
 

Coached by Randall Burnett M.A. '22, the team is thankful for the support they received from Thiel College, family, friends and sponsors.