April 4, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue cheer squad finished sixth out of 10 teams in the finals at the National Cheerleaders Association nationals competition Friday in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The cheerleaders turned in an 8.85, the best score by a Purdue cheerleading squad in nationals competition. Louisville won with a score of 9.6.
"We would have had to be literally perfect to win this year because all of the teams performed so well," said Sue Bayley, cheer coach and a former Purdue cheerleader. "I'm very proud of our cheerleaders and happy we competed so well against such a strong field."
The Purdue cheer squad finished second in the nation a year ago at Daytona Beach. It was the highest finish ever by a Purdue squad.
Purdue Pete and the Purdue Dance Team also competed in Daytona Beach, and both reached the finals. Pete finished fourth of six mascots in the finals, and the dance team came in 13th out of 15 teams.