Back L to R: athletic Director Patricia Kendrick, Head Coach Glenn Caston, XULA Cheer Operations Lauren- Ann Daniels, Tia Owens, Sydney Gadsden, Ramya Robinson, Keshaun Edgar, Anthony Glay, Dylan Sonnier, Elias Cato, Cameron Speed, Kevin Myrthil, Caleb Merckson, Amirah White, Nicholas Taylor, XULA Cheer Head Athletic Trainer Sara Bunemann, Assistant Coach Cyrus Riddle, Vice President of Student Affairs Curtis Wright, Cheer Manager Kaden Henry. Front L to R: Assistant Athletics Director Demarquez Trotter, Ethan Jefferson, Terence Petit, Kennedy Alleyne, Alexandra Richards, Kennedy Commings, Trae Byrd, Madison Levy, Jordan Brown, Rochelle Jeffries, Kerri Rhodes, Kristian Parker, Calah Dye, Kelsea Allen, and Assistant Coach Britney Dixon. Photo by Marlon Roundtree

The Xavier University of Louisiana cheer team has claimed the 2026 NAIA National Championship, securing the title after a standout performance at the national competition held March 27–28 at the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka, Kansas.

After finishing fourth in the preliminary round, Xavier surged ahead in the championship finals on March 28, earning a first-place finish with a score of 96.13, outperforming a competitive field of 15 teams. Indiana Wesleyan University placed second with a score of 92.72, followed by St. Ambrose University (91.75), University of the Cumberlands (91.73), and Oklahoma City University (91.48). Xavier entered the finals trailing St. Ambrose University, Oklahoma City University, and Indiana Wesleyan University, but delivered a championship performance defined by precision, resilience, and execution under pressure.

The victory marks Xavier’s second NAIA national title in the past four years and a return to the top following back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2024 and 2025. The team also secured a national title at the NCA Championships in 2024, further solidifying its place among the nation’s elite cheer programs.

"Just like our student-athletes are challenged in the classroom, we challenged them on the floor. We gave them a demanding routine because they are extremely capable, and they rose to meet that expectation,” said Head Cheer Coach Glenn A. Caston. “Against one of the toughest fields we’ve seen all season, we leaned into our history to steady us. That focus carried us to a championship. We’re grateful to our alumni, parents, and Vice President Curtis Wright, along with our athletic leadership and department, for providing the support and resources needed to compete at the highest level. With fifteen teams, the most we faced all year, emerging victorious among the best in the country reflects the excellence that surrounds us every day at Xavier.”

The national championship caps a dominant 2026 season for Xavier Cheer. Earlier this month, the team was crowned the 2026 Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Competitive Cheer Champion. Head Coach Glenn Caston was named SSAC Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year, while Anthony Glay earned the NAIA Champions of Character Award. Thirteen Xavier student-athletes were recognized with SSAC All-Conference honors, including Kaleb Merckson, who was named SSAC Tumbler of the Year, and Nick Taylor, who earned SSAC Rookie of the Year honors.