Birmingham-area cheer teams shine at UCA Nationals
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From toe touches to team spirit, Alabama dance and cheer programs showed up big at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship with high-energy routines, soaring scores and podium finishes all weekend long.
Read on to see where teams across the Greater Birmingham Area placed in the Division II finals, plus what’s next at nationals.
How Birmingham-area teams got here
Alabama sent 59 teams to the opening rounds, and 26 of them advanced to the Division II finals. All squads earned their spots by competing in UCA regional qualifiers during the 2025-26 season.
Several Birmingham-area teams rose to the top of their divisions, including:
- Briarwood Christian – Large DII Game Day, T-4, 89.4
- Spain Park – Large DII Game Day, T-4, 89.4
- Lee Academy / Lee-Scott Academy – Large DII Intermediate, No. 11 / T-7
- Helena – Small Coed DII Game Day, No. 2, 90
- Homewood – Super Non-Tumbling DII Game Day, No. 8, 88.6
- Mountain Brook High School – Large DII Varsity Kick
More standouts nearby:
- Cullman – Medium DII, No. 3, 88.3
- Gardendale High – Small DII Game Day, T-8, 87
- Jasper — Large Non-Tumbling DII Game Day, No. 4, 89.5
Strong finishes across the board
Birmingham-area squads didn’t just compete—they made their mark on the national stage. Teams like Helena, Cullman, Gardendale, Briarwood Christian, Spain Park, Lee Academy, and Homewood all earned top-10 finishes, showcasing the depth of talent and school spirit right here in our backyard.
What’s next for Birmingham-area cheer teams?
The competition’s not over yet! Division I schools (1,400+ students) take the mat on Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8 at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
Catch the action on Varsity TV (with subscription) EPSN, or check out the teams’ social media pages—they’ll definitely be sharing all the highlights and excitement!
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