Rattlers Win 2016 Cheerleading Championship

FAMU cheerleaders Honored at the Capitol

Florida A&M University’s cheerleading squad had a lot to cheer about in Norfolk, Va., during the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Cheerleading Conference. 

The Rattlers cheerleading squad placed first in three of the four conference categories: first place in the MEAC All-Star (individual) with Courtni Smith; first place in the Co-Ed Division and first place in overall performance.

Head Coach, Brandi Tatum explained to her squad that they have been preparing for the win for a couple of months and was pleased that Courtni stepped up in the leadership role when Shelinka Cunningham tore her Achilles.

“She’s awesome,” Tatum said. “To hear them call her name, it was like it was our time to win. I knew she was the best person for the job.”

The Rattlers cheerleaders had stiff competition, especially in the overall performance category where they were up against five-time defending MEAC champion, Morgan State Lady Bears. This year, the Lady Bears fell to second place in the category of overall performance behind the Rattlers.

“Morgan State has won the grand championship for the last five years,” Tatum stated. “Over the years our scores have been very close, but I think it was our time to shine and our time to win. It was an awesome feeling.”

Morgan State University, however, did win first place in the All-Girl Division.

They also came in third place in the MEAC All-Star (individual) with Kayla Lane-Illescas following behind second-place winner, Hampton University’s Tiffany Williams.

“One thing a win does is make you recognizable among people who wouldn’t look,” exclaimed Tatum.