By Patrick Ochs

POPLARVILLE – The Pearl River Community College cheer squad hopes it set the tone for a promising 2018-19 season with its recent performance at the UCA College Spirit Camp, hosted by the University of Alabama.

The Lady Wildcats pulled in numerous accolades over the course of the four-day camp, which included three days of practice and a competition day.

PRCC mascot W.C. Rivers helped set the tone, by picking up an All-Superior honor. The cheerleaders’ precision and school spirit were on display as the squad picked up All-Superior ribbons in each evaluation.

The squad also placed third in its division, going up against four-year schools as an all-girl team.

“This was the first time that the girls performed as a squad and Coach Alesa (Lee) and I could not be more proud,” coach Meghan Byrd said. “They brought an energy and confidence ot the floor that gave me chills.

“Competing against the four-year universities was a great learning experience and it has given them the motivation to accomplish amazing things this year.”

Added Lee, who is new to the PRCC coaching staff in 2018-19: “This was my first time coaching a college camp and our first time going all-girl with a team that is 75 percent freshmen. I didn’t know what to expect, yet the girls still seemed to blow my expectations out of the water.”

The Lady Wildcats’ impressive performance bodes well for the season ahead.

“The performance at Alabama proved that these girls know it takes a lot more than just talent to be competitive,” Byrd said. “They love PRCC and want to make our college proud this season.

“They know the hard work that it is going to take to be successful and they can’t wait to start crushing their goals as a squad.”

The squad will hone its skills over the next five months in preparation for January’s UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, which is held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.