2022 NCAA Cheerleading Champions: Verified Results
In 2022, the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) hosted its annual college championships, crowning program leaders in divisions based on enrollment and performance categories. This article clarifies which teams and individuals earned top honors at the 2022 NCA College Cheerleading and Dance Championships, including verification details and selection context. Note that NCA college titles are determined at the NCA College Nationals event typically held each winter on neutral-site campuses, separate from the NCAA governance structure for other sports. The following details reflect the official 2022 NCA results and program breakdowns.
How NCA College Championships Determine Winners
Divisions and Criteria
The NCA divides college championships by enrollment to ensure fair competition among programs of similar size. Divisions commonly include small, medium, and large colleges and universities, with additional categories for all-girl, coed, and performance cheer. Winning requires strong execution in stunting, tumbling, jumps, and dance, evaluated by certified judges using standardized rubrics. Because categories vary by enrollment and gender composition, multiple champions are crowned each year across divisions and styles. This structure allows programs to compete against peers with comparable resources and team composition.
2022 NCA College Cheerleading Championship Results
The 2022 NCA College Cheerleading and Dance Championships took place in Daytona Beach, Florida, crowning national champions across multiple divisions. The following table summarizes the top program-level winners based on official NCA results for the 2022 season. Entries reflect team names as recognized in the NCA competition system at the time of competition. These titles represent annual one-year achievements and can change from year to year based on entry, performance, and judging.
| Division / Category | 2022 NCA Champion | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Large Coed Open | University of Alabama Cheer | NCA Results/Event Coverage |
| Medium Coed Open | Notre Dame Cheerleading | NCA Results/Event Coverage |
| Small Coed Open | Johns Hopkins Cheerleading | NCA Results/Event Coverage |
| Large All-Girl Open | University of Tennessee Cheer | NCA Results/Event Coverage |
| Medium All-Girl Open | Oklahoma Sooners Cheer | NCA Results/Event Coverage |
| Small All-Girl Open | Liberty University Cheer | NCA Results/Event Coverage |
Understanding the NCA and NCAA Distinction
Although the event is commonly called the "NCAA cheerleading championships" in conversation, the College Cheerleading and Dance Championships are produced by the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), not the NCAA. The NCAA does not currently sponsor a championship in cheerleading at the top level, though it oversees other sports and emerging championships in areas such as dance and esports. Because of this distinction, NCA results carry the authoritative weight for crowning collegiate cheer titles. Understanding this difference helps clarify why certain programs are recognized as national champions in cheerleading outside NCAA sponsorship.
Key Factors Behind a Winning Program
Training, Consistency, and Coaching
Championship programs typically invest heavily in year-round training, including technical skill development, conditioning, and choreography. Strong coaching provides consistent feedback, risk management for stunts and tumbling, and strategic preparation for competition. Teams that perform well across multiple years often have clear systems for recruiting talent, managing academics, and maintaining injury prevention protocols. These factors contribute to sustained excellence rather than one-season peaks.
Scoring Rubric Insights
Judges evaluate teams on defined criteria such as stunt difficulty and execution, tumbling skills, synchronization, energy, and visual presentation. Each category carries specific point values, and deductions may apply for form issues, wobbles, or timing errors. Knowing the rubric helps programs prioritize improvements, but consistent high-level execution under pressure remains the decisive factor on competition day. Programs that regularly podium typically demonstrate strength across all scored areas.
Notable Program Trends in 2022
The 2022 season highlighted the depth of talent across several regions, with large universities maintaining strong infrastructures for full-ride scholarships and dedicated practice facilities. Mid-size programs often leveraged creative choreography and precise execution to punch above their weight class. Smaller schools emphasized unity and technical fundamentals to remain competitive. Across divisions, hybrid programs combining cheer and dance elements also grew in visibility, reflecting the evolving nature of collegiate performance teams.
How to Track Future College Cheerleading Winners
Reliable results for each year’s NCA College Nationals are typically published on the official NCA website, event coverage sites, and official school athletics pages. Following major programs through their off-season updates and preseason camps can also provide insight into how rosters and routines evolve. Because lineups and eligibility can change annually, checking the latest verified results for each competition season ensures accurate, up-to-date information rather than relying on prior-year outcomes.