NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Christopher Newport's cheerleading squad, under the direction of Head Coach Erica Flanigan, heads to Myrtle Beach, SC this weekend for the National Competition.

 Flanigan put together a squad that placed first at the Regional Cheer and Dance Competition hosted by Virginia Wesleyan back in October. The team placed first with 266 points which qualified them for Nationals where they will compete against colleges from across the country for the National Championship title.

 It's the first time in 10 years that the CNU Cheerleaders have competed in the national competition. Flanigan, in her first season as head coach and a former CNU cheerleader herself, has made several changes this year, including putting in more hours of practice and traveling to away games and competitions.

 The squad will head to South Carolina this weekend and would like to thank Luke Curtas of Mid Atlantic Vinyl Products for assisting the team in its trip to Nationals.