YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The Young Harris College competitive cheerleaders earned a bid to nationals as the Mountain Lions took part in the National Cheerleaders Association Cheerleading Camp Aug. 7-9 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The large coed team earned a Silver Bid to the 2016 NCA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship April 6-10 in Daytona Beach, Florida. It will be the fourth consecutive year that Young Harris has made the trip to nationals. The large coed team finished fourth place at the 2015 championship.

Young Harris' Luke the Mountain Lions earned All-American Mascots honors and was recognized as an NCA mascot, alongside major NCAA Division I mascots also in attendance at camp.

"Competing against Shorter University and Carson-Newman University in the Division II Large Coed Division, the team represented YHC very well and was a standout team not only in Division II, but amongst all teams at camp," said YHC head coach Chase Carter.

According to Carter, the bid process for nationals is a very strenuous one.
 
"It requires you to complete all requirements while at camp, stand out in your division, and exemplify the qualities that NCA looks for when selecting teams to compete for a national title," said Carter. "The process for a paid bid to nationals is even more difficult. Not only must you be a stand out in your own division, you must then compete with teams from ALL divisions at camp for the higher bids that pay you to attend nationals.

"YHC, being by far the smallest team to compete at camp, was up against some of the most prestigious Division 1 and 1A programs to compete at NCA such as the University of South Carolina, the University of Louisville, North Carolina State University, James Madison University, Jacksonville State University, and many others," added Carter. "We came away with a very hard earned silver bid to nationals, and a top 10 finish at camp.

"We consistently put ourselves in the toughest competition in the country so that we can continue to grow as a program, and learn from the best," said Carter. "To be the best, you have to compete with the best. We never shy away from a chance to compete, and although this year we did not come away with a gold bid like we set out to do, the experience was invaluable and we will be that much better for it. Three years ago, nobody knew who Young Harris College was in the cheerleading world. Now we are among the greatest teams in the country. Regardless of our size, or the longevity of our program, we are making a name for ourselves nonetheless."

Now the focus for the Mountain Lions turns to nationals in April.
 
"Now that we have secured our spot among the elite in the country, we have already set our sights on Daytona, and our next opportunity to earn a national title," said Carter. Placing third in 2014 and fourth at the 2015 national championship the fire is burning hot, and this team does not want to settle for anything less than a national title this season. We have a little bit of time before April to prepare, so in the meantime, you can find us working hard in the gym."