DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Charlotte 49ers Cheer and Dance squads used strong preliminary performances on the first day of the NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships to earn their way into Finals competition on Friday, April 8. Each squad will be competing among finalists in their category to claim a National Championship.

Charlotte cheerleaders battled among the field of 16 in the Intermediate All-Girl I category only to have one team score higher in preliminary action. Georgia Southern University took the top spot at 8.665, followed by the 49ers in second at 8.502. Also competing in the Finals are Sam Houston State, Iowa State, Penn State, West Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth, and Georgia. Charlotte is set to compete at 4:02 pm on Friday, April 8. "We look forward to making adjustments to reduce the number of mistakes for our performance at Finals," said head cheerleading coach Adam Thomas.

A score of 9.167 in the Dance Division I category earned the Charlotte 49ers Gold Dusters the sixth position after their first day of work and a spot in the Finals. "The girls work ethic has been simply amazing all year long," noted Danielle Terrell, head coach of the Gold Dusters. "We hit the routine today with a lot of energy and a fierce attack. Tomorrow, we hope to achieve the same success and push even harder." The Gold Dusters get an early start to Finals competition, hitting the floor at 10:12 am, where they will take on Towson, Utah Valley, Albany, UMKC, and James Madison. 

Norm the Niner qualified for his first National Championship and is scheduled to compete with 15 other mascots on Saturday, April 9. Norm, scheduled to perform at 10:04 am, will be taking on the likes on Mr. Wuf from NC State and South Carolina's Cocky, among the nation's best mascots.

Follow the results and video of performances by clicking here.