DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The North Carolina A&T State University Aggies cheerleading program is setting the standard by making program history when they placed second in the nation at the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) College Nationals competition in Daytona Beach, Fla., April 6-7. 

The Aggies competed in the Intermediate All Girl Division I against 20 other teams that included the University of Illinois Chicago, George Washington University, Robert Morris University, Morgan State University, Presbyterian College, Bethune Cookman University, Gardner-Webb University, Furman University, Northeastern University, Bellarmine University, American University, Alabama A&M University, Southern Illinois University, California Baptist University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Saint Joseph's University, DePaul University, Sacramento State, Florida A&M University, and the University of New Hampshire.  

The N.C. A&T cheerleading program was .0925 away from snatching the first-place spot at the competition with an overall score of 97.5857. 

However, the Aggies earned the highest raw score in their division on both days they competed and the highest Day 2 score (with a .25 deduction) on both days. In addition, the Aggies ranked among the top-8 highest scores out of all teams in the intermediate divisions and a top-10 scorer out of all 400 teams who competed.   

"There was a lot of emotion," said A&T head cheerleading coach Daniel Kearns-Pickett. "The team and I pray a lot, and at that moment, I couldn't do anything else but countdown and have my assistant coaches press play (on the routine music). The rest is in their hands."

There were a lot of nerves and excitement because, at that point, I told myself no matter what happens, when they step on that mat, it is history. North Carolina A&T cheerleading has never been in this position. Whatever happens, I am proud. It was a moment like, 'Wow, we did what we said we were going to do.'" 

Junior cheer co-captain Iycess Hooper (Brandywine, Md.) has been a part of the program for two years, and she was determined to make history with her teammates at the competition. 

"We dedicated our whole year, while doing football and basketball season, to this big moment," Hooper said. "It was a big thing for our program. From day one of the competition, we were excited. We wanted to get on that mat and make history." 

Backstage N.C. A&T had five teams in front of them. The Aggies could hear the music and the crowd cheering for the other teams. At that moment, according to Hooper, there was a lot of anxiousness, nervousness, and butterflies. She compared it to doing a presentation, only 10 times worse.  

As the teams continued to perform, it was time for the Aggie cheer ritual. The group gathered in a circle to pray, with each team member reminding the other that it was in God's hands as a means of motivation. Another reminder went out from the group. They are indeed blessed to have the opportunity to make history. 

The ritual ends, and the moment arrives. The announcer exclaims North Carolina A&T through the speakers! It's time. The lights come on, and it is time to lock in and showcase the results of their hard work to the world. And what a display of that's what Aggies Do; the cheerleading team allowed everyone to see with stunts and flips and displays of strength and grit and precise routines with a degree of difficulty that amazes even the most cynical observer. 

When it ended, and A&T walked back on campus celebrating their historic milestone, one little thing will motivate them in the future as they receive congratulatory praise. They were a few decimal points away from being No. 1 in the entire land. So what will it take to win it?  

"I would say mental toughness," Hooper said. "With this sport, it is 99 percent mental and one percent physical in our eyes. That's our mindset. Having that mental capacity and being able to handle the pressure and everything thrown at us because we have a long season. It doesn't stop. From August to April, we're working. So being mentally strong is important."

I would also say being flexible and able to sacrifice is a big thing in this sport. I know we're in college, and it's a lot of other fun things that we want to do, but because we have won such a big title which boosted the limelight of the program, there will be more work that needs to be done by the individuals that will be on the team." 

The Aggies are aiming to compete at NCA College Nationals next year.