The University of Alabama all-girl and coed cheer squads both finished second at this weekend’s Universal Cheerleading Association national championship, marking the third consecutive year in which both groups posted top-three finishes.

“I am very proud of the All-Girl and Coed teams,” UA cheer coordinator Jennifer Thrasher said. “Both of these teams worked extremely hard throughout the year preparing for nationals and they continue to represent the University of Alabama in a way that makes us all proud.”

Both national champions from last season defended their titles, with the Crimson Tide finishing runner-up to Indiana University in the Division I All-Girl competition and to Kentucky in the Division IA Coed category. After winning national titles in January of 2015, Alabama’s two groups have finished in the top three in each of the subsequent two years.

“Although we did not accomplish our ultimate goal of winning a national championship this year, we continued to compete at a high level and will use this as motivation to prepare for another great year in 2018.”

The three-day competition took place at ESPN's Wide World of Sports. Teams from across the country participated in the prestigious event at HP Fieldhouse. Cheerleaders were judged based on stunting, tumbling skills, crowd-leading abilities and overall performance.

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