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Saginaw Valley State University

June 3, 2026

SVSU cheer wins national championship

group of cheerleaders in front of banner

The cheerleaders of Saginaw Valley State University have something to cheer about: A top finish in the NCA College Nationals Intermediate Small Coed Division II Finals, making program history for the third time. The championship win follows a third-place finish in 2024 and a second-place finish in 2025. The competition was held in April in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Under coach Michael Dotson, who was a national title-winning collegiate cheer athlete, the 22 cheerleaders worked diligently all year to perfect their skills. Hannah McIntyre, co-captain of the 2026 squad, said, “Last year, our team made program history, earning a second-place finish in the D2 Intermediate Small Coed Division, stepping up from our third-place finish in the same category in 2024. That momentum really set the tone for this season and gave us the determination, drive and confidence going into this year.”

The team needed those traits to succeed at the competition, which McIntyre said was more intense than ever, with more teams competing in the Intermediate Small Coed Division since she began competing.
When asked about what stood out about the 2025-2026 cheer season, McIntyre reflected:

“The growth, not just in skill but in trust and chemistry. After our second-place finish last year, we came in so hungry for that win. We all showed up to every practice, put in the work, and pushed through every obstacle that stood in our way. This team is more than just a group of athletes. It’s a family. It is really cool to see how much a team learns to rely on each other, physically and emotionally, during the entire season. A favorite part of the entire season is seeing how all of our hard work brings us together in those final moments.”

Students competing on the 2025-2026 SVSU cheer team included:

  • Gabriella Azar, a pre-occupational therapy major from Chesterfield
  • Miranda Barteld, a criminal justice major from Gladstone
  • Bailey Burger, a teacher education major from Mt. Pleasant
  • Jozlyn Childs, a social work major from St. Charles
  • Delaney Dopp, a pre-nursing major from Adrian
  • Gianna Forster, a teacher education major from Harrison
  • Landon Gage, an exercise science major from Linwood
  • Aralyn Hantla, a general business major from Bay City
  • Cora Katulski, a biology major from Yale
  • Alyssa McFall, a nursing major from Flat Rock
  • Hannah McIntyre, a pre-nursing major from St. Clair Shores
  • Raena Norbotten, a business management major from Muskegon
  • Alecia Pacheco, a criminal justice major from Brownstown Township
  • Brookelyn Roten, a social work major from Midland
  • Deshawnda Sparks, a social work major from Macomb
  • Maranda Steinmetz, a teacher education major from Rockwood
  • Kaitlyn Thompson, a social work major from Brockway
  • Ava Tragle, a pre-nursing major from Rochester Hills
  • Sydney Walli, an environmental studies and sustainability major from Bay City
  • Maggie Walkowiak, social studies education major from Davisburg
  • Claire Warznie, an exercise science major from Warren
  • Grace Weeks, an exercise science major from Flushing

Cheer is a club sport at SVSU. The team practices throughout the year, performs at home football and basketball games, and attends the NCA Summer Camp. Team members excel in the classroom as well as in competition, carrying an average 3.26 grade point average.