ERIE, Pa. (Aug. 13) -- The Thiel College Cheerleading team continued its historic run of excellence, earning a Silver Bid to the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals for the fifth consecutive year after a standout performance at this year's NCA Camp held at Gannon University Wednesday.

This year's competition was especially intense as the Tomcats squared off against some of the most competitive programs in collegiate cheer. In the 45-second run-off, the Blue and Gold came out on top against the likes of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Gannon and Shepherd University.

"I am beyond proud of our athletes for their hard work, focus and competitive spirit," Randall Burnett, Head Cheerleading Coach, said. "This achievement is a testament to their dedication and the growth of our program."

The Silver Bid, awarded by NCA, is an invitation to compete at the 2026 NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida—one of the most prestigious stages in collegiate cheerleading. This marks the fifth consecutive year Thiel Cheer has earned this honor, reflecting the sustained excellence and growth of the program.

In their past four trips to Nationals, the Tomcats have claimed one national championship (2023), one runner-up finish (2022) and a pair of third-place finishes (2024, 2025). At the 2025 competition, the team also earned one of the top five overall scores across all collegiate divisions.