LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2023) – More than 1,100 teams from 33 states competed at the 2023 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship at Walt Disney World Resort from February 10–12, 2023. Hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the event featured elite performances in stunting, tumbling, and crowd-leading across over 40 divisions.
A Showcase of Talent and Team Spirit
Teams competed in three major formats: Traditional Routine, Game Day, and Game Day Live. Game Day Live, introduced in 2020, allows cheer squads to perform alongside their school bands—bringing the energy of Friday nights to the competition floor.
The championship, organized by Varsity Spirit, began in 1980 and has aired on ESPN since 1983. Walt Disney World Resort has been the official host since 1995. In addition to in-person events, fans can catch the action on Varsity TV, with national broadcasts set for ESPN2 and ESPNU this spring.
2023 Division Champions at a Glance
Super Varsity
- Division I: Lake Mary High School (FL)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Lakeland High School (FL)
- Division II: Athens High School (AL)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: North Bullitt High School (KY)
Large Varsity
- Division I: Live Oak High School (LA)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Rosemount High School (MN)
- Division II: St. Hubert’s Catholic High School (PA)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: Immaculata-La Salle High School (FL)
- Coed: Bartow High School (FL)
- Non-Building: Lake Central High School (IN)
Medium Varsity
- Division I: Corner Canyon High School (UT)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Prior Lake High School (MN)
- Division II: St. Joseph’s Academy (LA)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: Opp High School (AL)
- Coed: McCracken County High School (KY)
Small Varsity
- Division I: James Clemens High School (AL)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Minnetonka High School (MN)
- Division II: Bishop McCort Catholic High School (PA)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: Sumrall High School (MS)
- Coed: Blackman High School (TN)
- Non-Building: Millard West High School (NE)
Game Day Champions
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Varsity Game Day Live: Independence High School (TN)
Super Varsity Game Day
- Division I: Hempfield Area High School (PA)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Alamo Heights High School (TX)
- Division II: Liberty Christian High School (TX)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: Liberty Creek High School (TN)
Large Varsity Game Day
- Division I: Northwest Rankin High School (MS)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Riverdale High School (TN)
- Division II: Opp High School (AL)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: Mize Attendance Center (MS)
- Coed: Fossil Ridge High School (TX)
Medium Varsity Game Day
- Division I: Franklin High School (TN)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Arapahoe High School (CO)
- Division II: Purvis High School (MS)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: Newton County High School (MS)
- Coed: McDowell High School (PA)
Small Varsity Game Day
- Division I: Jefferson High School (MN)
- Division I Non-Tumbling: Auburn Mountainview High School (WA)
- Division II: Smithtown High School West (NY) & Burlington Township High School (NJ)
- Division II Non-Tumbling: Poplarville High School (MS)
- Coed: West Nassau High School (FL)
Congratulations to all the 2023 UCA Cheerleading Championship winners! For a full broadcast schedule and replays, check your local listings on ESPN2 and ESPNU or visit Varsity TV.
