SPIRIT SQUADS RECEIVE PAID BIDS TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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SPIRIT SQUADS RECEIVE PAID BIDS TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

11/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics

The University of Minnesota cheer squad and dance team have earned paid bids to the national championships in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 10-15. This marks the first time in school history that both teams have earned paid bids. The competition will be shown nationally on ESPN.

Both teams submitted performances on video to be judged by a committee. The dance team's video was judged second best in the nation and the top five teams in the nation earn paid bids. The cheer squad's video took top honors in the Mid-America Region. The four regional winners, along with four at-large selections, received paid bids to the national cheer competition.

The dance team's best finish at nationals was fourth in 1994-95, while the cheer team's top performance was an eight-place finish in 1997-98.

The Golden Gopher spirit squads are coached by Sam Owens, Beth Frees and Amber Struzyk.