Temple University Athletics
Temple Spirit Squad Shines at National Championships
1.16.22 | Cheerleading, Diamond Gems
ORLANDO – The Temple Spirit Squad had a tremendous weekend at the 2022 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championships held at the Walt Disney World Resort highlighted by a second-place finish by the Owls' Cheerleaders and fifth place showing by the Diamond Gems in the Game Day routine category.
"Going into this year as defending National Champions with a near perfect score, we knew we had to find something unique to make Temple stand out among so many talented teams from across the country," said Temple Head Cheerleading coach Jenna Komosinski. "This was the perfect opportunity to incorporate Hooter into our Game Day routines for both Cheer and Dance. Flying around the mat with the cheerleaders and dancing with the Gems, Hooter was the Cherry on top of both of our teams' top five finishes."
The Cheerleaders finished just 0.100 points behind Mississippi (97.2333) with a score of 97.1333 in earning their silver medal in the Division IA All Girl Game Day routine category. The Owls placed ahead of Bowling Green, South Florida, UMass, UNLV, New Mexico and Penn State.
The Cheerleaders also made it to finals in the Traditional routine category for the first time in 10 years. They finished in sixth place.
"I can't begin to explain the excitement we all felt hearing the Cheerleaders and Diamond Gems announced as finalists. We all had the goal of making it to finals and having the entire Temple Spirit Squad represented on the Nationals floor among so many talented teams," said Spirit Squad Director/Head Diamond Gems Dance Team coach Jennifer Keller. "I am so proud of the love and support these teams have shown each other all season, and especially this weekend.
I don't think most people realize how much these athletes put into the preparation for competing against programs from across the country; many coming from Power 5 schools who are fortunate to have benefits such as their own practice facilities."
The Diamond Gems also made some noise with their first top-five finish in the program's history in the Division IA Game Day routine category. The Gems finished behind perennial powers Ohio State, UNLV, Iowa and Tennessee and ahead of Michigan, Memphis, Washington State, Texas Tech, Mississippi and Oklahoma.
The Diamond Gems also made it to finals in the Hip-Hop routine category for the first time in five years. They finished in eighth place.
"Going into this year as defending National Champions with a near perfect score, we knew we had to find something unique to make Temple stand out among so many talented teams from across the country," said Temple Head Cheerleading coach Jenna Komosinski. "This was the perfect opportunity to incorporate Hooter into our Game Day routines for both Cheer and Dance. Flying around the mat with the cheerleaders and dancing with the Gems, Hooter was the Cherry on top of both of our teams' top five finishes."
The Cheerleaders finished just 0.100 points behind Mississippi (97.2333) with a score of 97.1333 in earning their silver medal in the Division IA All Girl Game Day routine category. The Owls placed ahead of Bowling Green, South Florida, UMass, UNLV, New Mexico and Penn State.
The Cheerleaders also made it to finals in the Traditional routine category for the first time in 10 years. They finished in sixth place.
"I can't begin to explain the excitement we all felt hearing the Cheerleaders and Diamond Gems announced as finalists. We all had the goal of making it to finals and having the entire Temple Spirit Squad represented on the Nationals floor among so many talented teams," said Spirit Squad Director/Head Diamond Gems Dance Team coach Jennifer Keller. "I am so proud of the love and support these teams have shown each other all season, and especially this weekend.
I don't think most people realize how much these athletes put into the preparation for competing against programs from across the country; many coming from Power 5 schools who are fortunate to have benefits such as their own practice facilities."
The Diamond Gems also made some noise with their first top-five finish in the program's history in the Division IA Game Day routine category. The Gems finished behind perennial powers Ohio State, UNLV, Iowa and Tennessee and ahead of Michigan, Memphis, Washington State, Texas Tech, Mississippi and Oklahoma.
The Diamond Gems also made it to finals in the Hip-Hop routine category for the first time in five years. They finished in eighth place.
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