Siena Heights is set to host the NAIA Competitive Cheer and Dance Regional Qualifying Group Event for the Northeast Region on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.– this marks the fifth-straight time the Saints have hosted this event.

Cheer teams participating will be Robert Morris, Concordia, Siena Heights, Aquinas, St. Ambrose, and St. Francis IL.

Dance teams participating include Indiana Wesleyan, Lourdes, Concordia, St. Francis IN., Robert Morris, Union College, Siena heights, Aquinas, Bethel, Marian, St. Francis IL., St. Ambrose, and Indiana Tech. 

There are 44 institutions competing for eight qualifying team championship berths (four dance, four cheer). There will be 24 teams (12 dance, 12 cheer) that will make their way to the NAIA National Championships hosted by the Oklahoma CityStars in Oklahoma City, Okla. The top scoring team out of each qualifying group tournament, along with the next overall highest scoring teams in each sport, advance to the 2018 NAIA National Championships.

The 2018 season marks the second year the sport will conduct a NAIA National Championship. The NAIA is the only collegiate athletics association to offer a national championship in this sport. Competitive Cheer and Dance was the first to earn national championship status within the NAIA in a span of 22 years – NAIA Women's Golf became a championship sport prior to the spring of 1995.

The All-America tryouts consist of the following on the dance side: athletes must perform three leaps (two advanced) and a triple pirouette, and in cheer, athletes must complete a standing back tuck, toe touch and a tumbling pass (minimum: round off handspring full).

Doors are open to the public at 9 a.m. with admission being $5.

For the qualification plan and the list of competitive cheer & dance institutions, click here.

For more information on Competitive Cheer & Dance click here.

Follow the competition live here.