The cheers rang louder than ever in Norman this week—not from the softball diamond itself, but from the sidelines where a new chapter in Oklahoma Sooners history was written. For the first time ever, the University of Oklahoma’s Softball Cheer Squad has clinched the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) National Championship, earning the program its first national title and forever etching their name in Sooner lore.
It wasn’t just a win. It was a revelation. And for the athletes, coaches, and fans who’ve waited for this moment, it was a long-overdue reward for years of sweat, sacrifice, and spirit.
In a sport often relegated to the background of highlight reels and stat lines, the OU Softball Cheer Squad surged to center stage with a performance that combined flawless technique, unwavering energy, and the kind of unrelenting passion that’s defined the Oklahoma name across all levels of competition. With red and white pom-poms flying and synchronized choreography dazzling judges and fans alike, the Sooners proved they belonged among the best. This time, there would be no runner-up finish. This time, Oklahoma was taking home the trophy.
The journey to UCA glory was not without its challenges. From the opening months of preparation to the intense qualifiers, the team battled adversity both on and off the mat. Injuries tested depth. Expectations weighed heavy. And with the national stage looming, the pressure to perform was immense. But inside the hearts of these student-athletes beat something stronger than fear—an unshakable belief that this was their time.
“We’ve always had the drive. We’ve always had the talent,” said team captain Avery Hastings, a senior who’s been with the squad through highs and lows. “But this year, something was different. It felt like destiny.”
Destiny, of course, favors the disciplined. And no squad embodied discipline more than the Sooners. Practices were grueling. Rehearsals ran late into the night. The team trained like champions long before they were crowned as such, crafting their routine with precision and pushing each other to the brink of exhaustion and beyond. Every twist, lift, and chant was rehearsed to perfection. Every movement bore the weight of a dream shared by an entire program.
Head Coach Lindsay Moore, who’s led the squad for the past five seasons, called it the most rewarding moment of her career.
“This group has poured their soul into every aspect of this,” Moore said. “To finally see them recognized on the national level, it’s overwhelming. These are some of the hardest-working athletes on campus, and they just made history.”
Indeed, in a university renowned for its national dominance in softball, gymnastics, and football, the Softball Cheer Squad’s win adds yet another layer to the school’s growing legacy of excellence. But perhaps what makes this championship so special is the underdog story behind it. For years, the cheer team—particularly those attached specifically to softball—were viewed as an afterthought, a footnote in the broader athletics narrative. But not anymore.
They’ve flipped the script.
This was more than a championship routine. It was a declaration.
“We’ve always supported the softball team through their championships,” sophomore flier Kayla James said. “But this time, it was our turn to bring one home. And doing it while representing the same OU across our chest made it even more meaningful.”
That connection to the softball team runs deeper than most realize. While the cheer squad and the players train separately, their bond is forged on the field, where chants echo from dugouts to bleachers and the energy created by the cheer team often fuels the momentum of a close game. In return, the support from the national powerhouse softball program has been unwavering. Players like Tiare Jennings, Kinzie Hansen, and Jayda Coleman took to social media to celebrate the cheer squad’s victory, calling them “the real MVPs” and “the heartbeat of our home games.”
Even legendary softball coach Patty Gasso offered her congratulations, stating, “This is what Oklahoma is all about—excellence, passion, and lifting each other up. I couldn’t be prouder of our cheer team. They’ve earned every bit of this moment.”
For the cheerleaders themselves, the national championship means validation. For years, they’ve competed in a sport that often struggles to gain mainstream attention despite the athleticism it demands. But with their title-winning performance now making waves online—with over 2 million views in just three days on TikTok and Instagram combined—their moment is here.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” said junior base Izzy Martinez. “We’ve been working for this since freshman year, and to finally feel that trophy in our hands… it’s everything.”
The competition itself took place in Orlando, Florida, at the annual UCA College Nationals, where the Sooners squared off against perennial powers like Kentucky, Alabama, and LSU. Entering the final round, Oklahoma trailed slightly in technical points but delivered a flawless final routine—earning near-perfect marks for synchronization, difficulty, and crowd engagement. When the final results were announced and Oklahoma was named National Champion, the reaction was instantaneous: tears, hugs, cheers, and disbelief all rolled into one.
“It was like a dream,” Moore said. “I saw these girls collapse to the floor in joy. I saw them scream and cry and embrace. It was years of emotion unleashed in a single moment.”
That moment will live forever in the memories of everyone involved, but it’s also inspired a movement.
Already, the team has received dozens of messages from young cheerleaders across the country, many saying they now dream of cheering for Oklahoma one day. The team has also been invited to perform at several national events this summer, and there are talks of a potential celebratory appearance at a Sooners football game this fall.
Even university administrators have taken notice. President Joseph Harroz Jr. issued a statement praising the team’s dedication and calling their victory “a proud moment for the entire Sooner family.” Athletic Director Joe Castiglione echoed that sentiment, saying, “Championships are never given—they’re earned. And this team has earned every ounce of this moment.”
Beyond the accolades, however, lies something deeper—something intangible. A shift. A new standard. A reminder that greatness can come from anywhere, even the sidelines. And in a year that’s seen Oklahoma continue to dominate in nearly every facet of collegiate athletics, the Softball Cheer Squad’s triumph adds a new chapter to the story of Sooner dominance.
No longer are they just the ones cheering from the shadows. They are now champions in their own right.
As the team returned to campus, they were greeted by a crowd of supporters, balloons, banners, and chants of “Boomer Sooner!” echoing across the lawn. For many of the cheerleaders, it was the first time they’d felt the full force of the spotlight. And they embraced it.
“We’re just getting started,” Hastings said with a grin. “Now that we’ve tasted gold, we’re hungry for more.”
For the rest of the country, the message is clear: don’t underestimate Oklahoma Cheer. Not now. Not ever again.
So here’s to the ones who lift, who flip, who shout until their voices are gone. Here’s to the quiet leaders and the loud hearts. Here’s to the first-time champions who never stopped believing.
The Oklahoma Sooners Softball Cheer Squad took FIRST—for the first time—and they’re not looking back.
