ANAHEIM, Calif.-In their first competition in five years, the Fresno Pacific Cheer team nabbed 5^th place in the College Gameday Division at the United Spirit Association Collegiate Championships held at the Anaheim Convention Center.

"I am unbelievably proud of this team," Fresno Pacific head coach Rayna Harris said. "The best of the best come to compete here and their hard work and dedication this season earned them that spot up on that stage."

Fresno Pacific's trophy earning winning performance edged several Division I opponents to be one of the select teams to bring home hardware.

"This is the biggest college cheer competition on the west coast and since FPU has only competed once prior in 2018," Harris continued. "None of our current athletes have ever competed at the college level, and they represented FPU extremely well."

The Sunbirds performed both of their routines with an all-girl team of 13 competing against a handful of opponents that were co-ed and succeeding in the first competition in over five years for the program.

Fresno Pacific was just one point off fourth place in the Band Chant that received perfect marks in spacing and gameday material. The Sunbirds preserved through technical difficulties, while maintaining their composure, as their music hit one minute after the five second period in which it was supposed to start.

The Sunbirds delivered good energy despite the circumstances, delivering a strong, clean performance that had the vocal crowd cheering along.

"We came out with strong energy and confidence while taking the mat," Harris added. "Both of their routines were clean hits with zero deductions. They pushed through the long stall of music and kept the crowd engaged their entire performance. Their skills were clean and that was evident to the judges."

FPU did not receive a single deduction through either of their routines but shined throughout both.

"This team has shown toughness all season pushing through injuries on top of still balancing cheering at all the games," Harris concluded. "But they did not let it slow them down. I am thrilled with their performances this weekend, placing in the top five is what we hoped to do and I am so proud they did just that. I have an eager group of returners who are ready to come back even stronger next year."

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