The competition will be held in Kansas City, Mo. at Municipal Auditorium on March 29-30.

The Penn cheerleaders received a bid to attend the NCA National Collegiate Championships back in August while competing at camp.

"Since then we have really improved as a team and I am excited to see how we finish at this competition," Coach Rachael Beard said.

The Penn cheerleaders have not attended a national competition in the school's history.

The competition dance squad is also coming off an impressive showing at the ISDTA College Dance competition where they received their second-consecutive Division I rating.

"We just keep pushing the spirit squads toward becoming one of the most prestigious programs in the state," Coach Kristin Libby said. "This will hopefully elevate our program's reputation in the area and attract amazing dancers to complement the ones we already have."

"It is hard work on the kids to balance school, other sports and activities, supporting the athletic teams at games, and working on the nationals routines, but I am convinced both teams will pull it together and bring home top placements at the competition."

The cheer team will be performing an NFL-themed routine that was choreographed by Coach Rachael Beard and the competition dance team will be performing their award winning "Last Chance" pom routine.

The cheer and dance teams have also scheduled tryouts for the upcoming season on April 20. Potential members can also tryout by video submission. Interested students or future Penn students should contact Coach Kristin Libby at libbyk@wmpenn.edu