MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.  |  The Young Harris College competitive cheerleaders earned a bid to nationals as the Mountain Lions took part in the National Cheerleaders Association Cheerleading Camp last weekend (Aug. 10-12) at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

The large coed team, despite having to compete in the hardest division, earned a silver bid to the 2019 NCA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship April 3-7 in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

The Mountain Lions were the only NCAA Division II institution in their four-team division and competed against NCAA Division I institutions University of Louisville, University of South Carolina, and Tennessee State University. YHC took third place in the rally routine competition.

Young Harris had two cheerleaders - senior Sidney Maloy of Albany, Georgia, and sophomore Shae Shappel of Trussville, Georgia- earn NCA All-America honors. NCA All-America status is awarded by the NCA staff to individuals who show strength in spirit, technique and leadership. They are the third and fourth YHC cheerleader to be named an NCA All-American in the program's history.

It will be the seventh consecutive year that Young Harris has made the trip to nationals and the fifth time the Mountain Lions have earned a silver bid. The large coed team finished in third place at the 2017 championship.