SXU Cheer Takes Third at Battle in the Big Easy
In its first competition since 2019, the Saint Xavier University (SXU) cheer team began the 2026 season with a phenomenal start, finishing third out of seven teams and collecting a total score of 77.87 across two days in the Battle in the Big Easy competition at the Convocation Center in New Orleans, La.
"It was incredibly exciting and rewarding to see the team finish so strongly against so many talented cheer programs. As our first competition since the 2018–2019 season, we weren't quite sure what to expect, so our focus was simply on giving it everything we had. To see that effort result in a third-place finish was incredibly meaningful. I know our student-athletes were thrilled to see their hard work pay off in such a big way, and I couldn't be more proud of them," head cheer coach Sitaara Jones said.
The honor felt especially momentous given that SXU cheer hasn't competed in seven years and the team faced several ups and downs on its journey. Announced in August that SXU cheer and dance would be joining the highly successful American Midwest Conference (AMC), the pressure was on, and it wasn't an easy road to competition day -- that's why the third-place win felt so rewarding.
"Leading into the competition, we faced several major challenges, including roster changes, injuries, and schedule adjustments, so what they were able to accomplish truly speaks to their resilience and determination. Our preparation leading into this competition looked very different than what we originally planned. With the roster changes we faced, we had several extended practices, including weekend sessions, to ensure everyone felt confident and prepared," Jones said.
Jones never doubted her squad, though. With a roster full of dedicated scholars in the classroom, she knew they'd be able to pull through in the gym.
"This group of athletes is incredibly dedicated. Many are nursing students, many work part-time jobs, and all are full-time students, so balancing academics, work, and an intense practice schedule required a tremendous amount of commitment and teamwork," Jones said.
Aside from the internal battles, Saint Xavier was the only all-woman team at the competition, meaning they had to compete against coed teams and be judged on a coed scoring sheet.
"One major highlight was finishing second in two of our four matchups against coed teams. As the only all-girl program at the competition, we're especially proud of that accomplishment. We also competed on a coed-advanced scoresheet, even though we are an intermediate all-girl team, which made those results even more meaningful," Jones said.
Saint Xavier will now prepare for the AMC Championships on March 6 in Columbia, Mo., and the National Cheerleading Association Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla., in April. The Cougars will take the much-needed confidence boost from the Battle in the Big Easy competition and strive to improve their success.
"We're back in the gym this week, refining our routine and leveling up certain skills so we can maximize our scoresheet. The AMC features incredibly strong programs, including the NAIA national champions, so our focus is on showing up confident, prepared, and committed to performing at our best."