The ISU Pom Squad danced to its best finish ever in the National Dance Association Division I Championship March 31-April 4. The squad placed 10th out of 27 collegiate teams at Daytona Beach, Fla.

This was only the fourth year the squad has participated at nationals.

“It was pretty emotional,” junior Renee Flack said. “The fact that we started with one goal and after reaching it set more goals [was great]. We just kept exceeding what we thought we could get done.”

The Cyclones performed the same routine two times, once in the preliminary round and later in the finals. Thirteen teams made the final round. Iowa State held the 11th position heading into the finals with a score of 8.75 on a 10.0 scale. In the finals, the squad scored an 8.82.

“It felt like we were on top of the world because we made it that far,” squad captain junior Jenny Botts said. “This really makes a name for us and shows [that] Iowa State is a good dance school.”

Louisville claimed the title, as judges scored routines on a three-category system consisting of jazz, funk and pom aspects. Routines lasted two minutes and 15 seconds. The energy level and excitement among squad members instantly took hold upon arriving at Daytona Beach, said sophomore Staci Wall.

Chants of “ISU, ISU” bounced off the sand and echoed across the beach, courtesy of the ISU cheer squad that made the trip down.

“When you get on stage, which is on the beach, 200 or so feet away from the ocean and a couple thousand people watching in swimsuits, it gets you excited,” Wall said. “We were just ready to have fun.”

The Cyclones believe this display of success will lead to more attention from the university and fans.

“We put a lot of hard work into dancing every year,” said Botts, a three-year member of the squad. “I don’t think we get enough recognition, and hopefully this will show our talent.”

Flack said the experience from the event will definitely help the Cyclones in the years ahead.

“This accomplishment is great for recruiting,” Flack said. “It makes girls that are trying out realize how good of a reputation we are starting to get.”

The pom squad performs throughout the year, mainly during football and basketball games. Cheering on other Cyclones and presenting a dance routine is normally a halftime show.

“Performing at games actually gives us a chance to practice,” Botts said. “It helps to get jitters out for competition.”

Flack said coming together as a group is one thing that creates an environment for improvement.

“We encourage each other all the time,” Flack said.