Sacramento State cheerleading team finished in second place overall at the 2010 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship this past weekend. The team headed to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., to compete in this year’s biggest competition to date. Sac State finished in second place in the small coed category and had another team place in the top 10 in the partner stunt finals. However, the top 10 finishes didn’t come easy. Head coach Bobby Biggs and the team had to fight through some injuries of key group members in his small coed group.

Squad members Ryan Stock and Hillery Swanson had to carry their injuries right up until it was time to take the floor. Stock suffered a pinched nerve in his back and Swanson had to deal with a groin injury. Those didn’t stop them from performing their best when it counted. “They dealt with the pain and performed at a high level to help accomplish a goal for our team,” Biggs said.

The result was a second-place finish for the small coed squad, right behind Hofstra University. In the category of Partner Stunt at Nationals, groups are formed of only four girls from the squad. This year was the first year Sac State has ever sent a group to Nationals for the Partner Stunt category. Not only did they send one squad to Nationals, they sent two. The foursome of Izzy Collum, Anahid Tatosian, Krista Hillenbrand and Maggie Stephens were able to take eighth place in the nation, while the group of Ashley Berry, Kori Thomas, Deija Joe and Becca Virgadamo finished in 11th place.

“I’m so proud of my group and everything we have accomplished. Eighth in the nation is a great feeling,” Hillenbrand said. The team spent many early morning practices to in hopes of making it to the 2010 nationals.

“It feels really rewarding to see the hard work that has been done pay off for our school and our cheerleading program.” Biggs said.

Check out the print edition of The State Hornet on newstands Wednesday for more details.

Marshall Hampson can be contacted at [email protected]