HONOLULU—The University of Hawai`i cheerleading team travels to Orlando, Fla. this week to compete in the 2012 Universal Cheerleaders Association Collegiate National Championships, January 15-17 at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Milk House on the grounds of Walt Disney World. The Championship will be broadcast on ESPN in February.
 
Last year, the 'Bows did well, finishing in seventh place at the 2011 Championships. This year, the squad is looking to build upon that finish as they returned the core of the team from last year. They've built upon the solid foundation in the past couple of years to create a routine featuring bigger stunts and higher difficulty throughout. Hopefully their high-octane routine will result in the elusive Top 5 finish. UH has been a perennial power over the past decade, always placing in the Top 10—finishing as high as third place in 2001 and '05. The 'Bows' trademark has been their innovative stunts and intricate, dynamic routines.
 
In the past, Hawai'i had entered the competition as the top seed from the West Region after their qualification video earned them the No. 1 seed which allowed them to advance straight into the finals. But this year, teams did not have to submit qualification videos as UCA makes adjustments to their policies. Instead, they compiled the teams by how they've finished the past few years. All teams will now have to perform in the semifinals before advancing to the championship round.
 
Teams will be rated by a panel of judges the various criteria below:

POINT BREAKDOWN
Cheer Judging
  Crowd Leading
            Crowd Effective Material – 10 pts.
            Voice, Pace & Use of Motions to Lead the Crowd – 5 pts.
  Incorporations
            Proper use of Skills to Lead the Crowd – 5 pts
            Use of Signs, Poms, or Megaphones – 5 pts
            Execution of Incorporation – 5  pts
  Overall
            Cheer Impression – 5 pts
TOTAL: 35 points
 
Music Judging
Partner Stunts
            Execution – 10 pts
            Difficulty – 5 pts
            Use of Coed Skills – 5 pts
Pyramids
            Execution – 10 pts
            Difficulty – 5 pts
Basket Tosses  - 5 pts
Group Tumbling – 5 pts
Overall Presentation – 5 pts
TOTAL: 50 points