Flying High: WVU Cheer Squad Crowned No. 1 in the World by ESPN
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In a historic moment for collegiate spirit programs, the West Virginia University Cheerleading squad has officially been crowned the No. 1 Cheer Team in the World. The unprecedented ranking was announced Monday as part of a special ESPN global survey of collegiate athletic programs, placing the Mountaineers at the pinnacle of a sport that demands elite athleticism, precision, and heart.
The ranking, a comprehensive evaluation by a panel of international gymnastics, acrobatics, and cheerleading experts convened by ESPN, analyzed the top 50 collegiate programs from across the globe. Teams were judged on technical skill, routine creativity, gameday impact, community involvement, and overall program legacy. WVU’s squad stood alone at the top, lauded for their “unmatched combination of raw power, technical difficulty, and authentic school spirit.”
For the members of the squad, the news was a stunning validation of a lifetime of dedication and countless hours of unseen work.
“We were speechless. We were all on a team call when our coach told us, and it was just silent for a second before everyone erupted,” said senior captain Ashley Williams. “To see the words ‘West Virginia, Number One in the World’… it’s a feeling I can’t even describe. Every early morning, every practice, every single moment of pushing through when our bodies were tired—it was all for this. We didn’t just do this for us; we did this for every cheerleader who wore the Flying WV before us and for the entire state that stands behind us.”
The WVU program, long respected as one of the nation’s best, is renowned for its high-flying acrobatics and awe-inspiring pyramids. The squad’s ability to execute complex, high-stakes routines in the electric atmosphere of Milan Puskar Stadium has made them a cornerstone of the Mountaineer gameday experience. The ESPN panel specifically cited the team’s signature 20-foot pyramid as a feat of “engineering and courage that is simply unparalleled at the collegiate level.”
Head Coach Christy Davis, who has led the program for over a decade, struggled to hold back tears as she spoke about her team’s achievement.
“This is a program built on grit, passion, and a love for West Virginia University,” Davis said. “These young men and women are some of the most dedicated athletes on this campus. They are full-time students, year-round athletes, and ambassadors for our university. To have their hard work and incredible talent recognized on a global stage is the highest honor we could ever imagine. They are the rhythm of the sidelines and the heartbeat of Mountaineer pride.”
The honor reverberated throughout the university and the state. West Virginia University President Gordon Gee issued a statement calling the cheerleaders “the embodiment of the Mountaineer spirit.”
“Our cheerleading squad represents the very best of West Virginia University,” President Gee stated. “They are brilliant, hardworking, and fearless. They lift our spirits, they inspire our teams, and now, they have shown the world that the path to being the best runs right through Morgantown. We are immensely proud of these Dazzling Daughters and Sons of West Virginia.”
The ranking is expected to have a significant impact, not only for the cheer program but for the perception of cheerleading as a whole. It shines a global spotlight on the intense physical and mental demands of a sport that has often been overlooked.
“This isn’t just about waving pom-poms,” said senior base Michael Frazier. “This is a sport of trust. When you have a flyer 20 feet in the air, you are responsible for their safety. That bond, that trust, is what makes us a family. ESPN’s ranking helps show the world the athleticism, the strength, and the dedication that this sport truly requires.”
As the news spread across social media, a wave of congratulations poured in from alumni, fans, and even rival schools. The hashtag #MountaineerPride trended nationally, with thousands of people sharing videos of the team’s iconic performances.
For a state that so fiercely cherishes its identity and its university, the title of “World’s Best” is a profound source of pride. As the WVU Cheerleading squad prepares for the upcoming season, they will do so not just as the leaders of the gameday experience, but as reigning global champions. They are, as one fan’s viral post so aptly put it, the wave of a new era. Shine on, Sweet Mountaineers.
