Aug. 22, 2007

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - If there were any questions of just how good the Kennesaw State competitive cheer squad is then they were answered this past weekend as 16 Owls cheerleaders were named National Cheer Association All-Americans at the NCA Collegiate Summer Camp at the Spring Maid Beach Resort.

Fifth-year senior Angela Ucci earned her fifth consecutive All-American selection, becoming the only KSU cheerleader to earn the honor in five straight years. Last year the Kennesaw native tied Bethany Lee (2001-04) and Beth Smith (2001-04) as the only four-time winners of the award. Carrie Schrock and Cristina Stellino were also honored with their second straight All-American award.

Athletes are judged on four elite skills, which include a round-off back handspring lay-out full twist, a hyper extended toe touch, standing tuck and the heel stretch double-down. There is no point deduction or scoring in the competition and in order to earn All-American status, the athlete must complete each of the skills flawlessly. If any of the four skills is not perfect, the routine is ended immediately and the athlete is eliminated.

The judges choose 25 All-Americans in total and KSU by far and away had the most of any other competing school, which included South Carolina, Wright State and Valdosta State, among others.

Eight first-year members, six of which are freshmen, were also selected to help make up the largest single group of All-Americans Kennesaw State has produced, shattering the record of eight in 2005. In her time as head coach, Felecia Mulkey has seen 55 athletes earn the honor, including 28 in the last three years.

"To have 16 of 34 members earn All-American honors says a ton about our program," said Mulkey. "The fact that eight are first team members, and six of those are freshmen, it tells a great deal about the direction our program is heading."

2007 Kennesaw State Cheerleading All-Americans
Atanasia Barabas - Sophomore
Katie Browning - Freshman
Ashley Dawson - Freshman
Sarah Erney - Sophomore
Lyndsey Garrett- Freshman
Britta Leblanc - Sophomore
Whitney Long - Sophomore
Tori Mayard - Sophomore
Carrie Schrock - Sophomore
Carrie Seller - Freshman
Amber Shaw - Freshman
Cristina Stellino - Sophomore
Jacqueline Svadeba - Sophomore
Tara Taylor - Freshman
Angela Ucci - 5th-yr. Senior
Jocilyn Yarnell - Sophomore