📰BIDDEFORD | UNE Cheer Returns to Daytona as Defending National Champions

The defending champions return with a revamped roster, elevated difficulty, and a target on their backs.

By: Mackenzie Schors, Biddeford Buzz 

April 9, 2026, No tumbler falls. No flyer leans. No base bobbles.

One year after capturing their first national championship, the University of New England cheer team is headed back to Daytona Beach, Florida, prepared to defend their title at the National Cheerleaders Association Collegiate National Championship.

This time, the Nor’easters return not as hopeful contenders, but as reigning champions, carrying both confidence and a target on their backs. “From winning last year to creating a championship team again, it has affected our attitudes in many ways. We are hungrier than ever this year, especially being in a new division, we want to go back-to-back.” said Jaelyn Belanger, a member of the Class of 2028 majoring in Medical Biology.

Photo credit: Alison Bromski

Pictured above, the team marks their championship with the traditional post-win ocean plunge. Touching the water before competing is considered bad luck, making this a celebration of the effort and dedication that brought the trophy back to Biddeford. The moment has become symbolic for the program, a reminder of how far UNE Cheer has come in a short amount of time.

The 2026 squad faces higher expectations and a new challenge: competing in the Coed division with two new male athletes, including Mike Rollins, a graduate student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, who had never before been a cheerleader. “To feel so welcomed by the coaches and all the athletes who have given me the chance to grow during my first year has been a great experience,” Rollins said. His addition reflects the team’s adaptability and commitment to evolving at the highest level.

New opponents and a reset competitive landscape await, and as defending champions, UNE knows every team in their division will be gunning for their title. The shift to Coed introduces different skill requirements, stronger stunts, and a faster pace, forcing the team to refine not only their technique but their overall performance strategy.

At the iconic Daytona Beach Bandshell, teams perform high-intensity routines before judges and thousands of spectators. In just over two minutes, they execute stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, tumbling, and dance, where precision can make the difference between first and second place. The pressure is immense, but it is also what makes the experience unforgettable for athletes who have trained all year for this moment. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster this season. It’s my last year competing as an athlete, so to see my growth over the years culminate into one final performance is exciting but sad”. said Kaitlyn Evenson-McMurtry, a UNE graduate student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

For UNE, standing out requires more than simply hitting a clean routine. This year’s performance features a bold “out of your league” baseball theme, with custom-rapped music and choreography designed to elevate the difficulty beyond last season’s championship routine. The routine not only highlights technical ability but also personality, creativity, and crowd engagement.

“This year, we will stand out because we are performing a couple of skills that have never been done before,” said head coach Alison Bromski. The emphasis on innovation reflects a program that refuses to remain stagnant, even after reaching the top.

The team trains year-round for two performances over two days in April. The ultimate goal is to “hit,” meaning completing the routine with zero deductions and zero major mistakes. 

“We always practice as if we are performing, so when it is time to compete, we just need to focus in and do our daily grind,” Bromski said. That consistency has become a defining characteristic of the program.

Beyond the physical preparation, the mental weight of defending a national title looms large. UNE is no longer the underdog program looking to make history; it is the program others are hoping to beat. “It feels amazing returning as National Champions, although it is nerve-racking as there are going to be a lot of teams coming for our title this year,” said Danica Rutowski, a Class of 2027 Dental Hygiene major.

For returning athletes and newcomers alike, the trip represents more than competition; it is a culmination of trust, resilience, and shared purpose, a chance to represent UNE nationally and inspire future Nor’easters at home watching proudly. 

As UNE Cheer returns to Daytona as defending champions, expectations are higher, but so is the confidence. “We heard that some competitors are relieved that we moved from All-Girl to Coed, which is certainly flattering,” Bromski added.

With elevated difficulty, creative vision, and months of preparation behind them, the team is ready to prove that last year’s title was only the beginning. Coach Bromski acknowledged the competitive drive among teams while emphasizing the shared passion that unites them: “Each team is always trying to top the most recent champion, so I’m sure there are some focused on beating us. That said, I hope they are all still excited to be fighting it out for the title together and putting their love for the sport above all else.”