CALEDONIA, Mich. — For the third straight season, the Davenport cheer team has won a national championship in the all-girl advanced category but this year's title was a bit more sweet than the others. The Panthers also won a Division Two co-ed advanced title in the team's first year of existence.
"To be a champion it takes a lot, especially in this sport, it's not all glitter and poms," said Davenport head coach Celia Kiogima. "A dream becoming a reality is a whole different feeling."
"There's not many words I can use to describe it but if I had to use one it would be pride for sure," said Davenport junior Payton McHugh.
This was the ninth NCA National Championship overall for Davenport.
This season Davenport also introduced co-ed cheer to the program and in its first year of existence the co-ed team took home a national title on its own.
"I don't think there's a difference at all, I always say there are two routines but one team," said Kiogima.
"I've never cheered with boys before but it was nothing new, it was just me and my family," said Davenport senior Shawna Smith.
With more hardware on the shelves and bling on the way, Davenport has cemented itself as one of the very best programs in the country.
"Winning one is hard in and of itself and winning three is incredible and it all starts with the culture," said Davenport assistant coach Carter Kiogima.
This group plans to grow off that culture to make sure the future Panthers can feel the same sense of pride they do right now.
"There's a lot of pride that goes into this feeling," said Celia Kiogima.