MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Webster University's Competitive Cheerleading team recently finished third nationally in the Division III Open Coed Collegiate Division at this year's Cheer Ltd. Nationals at CANAM.  The Cheer Ltd. Nationals at CANAM competition was held on March 16 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

The Gorloks, who competed at the Cheer Ltd. Nationals at CANAM for the third consecutive year, were one of 500 cheerleading teams competing at this national competition and Webster earned placed third out of six teams in the first-ever Open Coed Collegiate Division for NCAA Division III and Junior College programs. Webster scored nearly 18 points more than did the year before and had only a quarter-point of deduction. 

Methodist University took home the team title with 81.4 points in the Open Coed Collegiate Division, while Point Park (Pa.) University was second overall with 75.1 points. 

"Our team represented Webster very well as this year's national championships," Webster University competitive cheerleading coach Justin Barton said. "These cheer athletes practice for months and months for this national competition where they have only one chance to be perfect when they perform their two minute and 30 second national routine." 

Webster's cheerleading program, which is coached by Barton and assisted by Ashley Schmied, began in the fall of 2015 as an intercollegiate athletics program. The team performs and represents Webster at cheerleading competitions and athletic events, including Gorlok teams' participation in St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference and NCAA Division III tournaments.

The end of competition season marks the beginning of a new cheer season for the Gorloks beginning with an Open Gym on March 31 and April 14 from 6-9 p.m. in Grant Gymnasium. Tryouts for next year's cheerleading team will be held on April 28 at 12 p.m. in Grant Gymnasium.