The roar of the crowd, the flash of glitter, the sound of synchronized tumbling, and the final echo of perfectly stuck stunts marked a historic moment in competitive cheerleading history as the Texas State Cheerleading Squad was crowned world champions at the 2025 International Cheerleading Championship. Held in Orlando, Florida, the event drew the best collegiate and elite cheer programs from around the globe. But when the final scores were tallied, it was the Bobcats who stood tallest, clinching the No. 1 spot with a flawless routine that stunned judges, competitors, and fans alike.
This was not simply a win—it was a seismic statement. Texas State had been hovering near the top of cheerleading’s global stage for several years, often the underdogs behind powerhouses like Kentucky, Navarro, and Alabama. Yet in 2025, something was different. The preparation was more intense. The chemistry was undeniable. And their performance at the international stage was, by all standards, perfect. With a score of 99.8 out of 100 and zero deductions, they didn’t just win—they dominated.
What makes Texas State’s championship so extraordinary isn’t merely the points on the board but the journey that led them there. The team entered the 2024-2025 season with a chip on their shoulder. Last season’s fourth-place finish at nationals left them hungry. Many of their athletes, particularly seniors like co-captains Mariah Jensen and DeMarcus Hall, committed themselves to turning that heartbreak into fuel. Summer camps became boot camps, film sessions extended late into the night, and choreographer meetings evolved into full-blown strategy sessions that combined athletic innovation with aesthetic mastery.
At the heart of Texas State’s rise was Head Coach Brittany Carlson, a fierce advocate of progressive stunting and mental resilience. A former All-American cheerleader herself, Carlson took over the Bobcat program five years ago and has slowly reshaped it into a culture of precision and empowerment. “We knew that this year we had the tools—we had the team,” Carlson said in an emotional post-victory interview. “But it wasn’t until I saw them hit that routine that I realized we weren’t just good—we were the best in the world.”
That routine, now etched in cheerleading folklore, was a masterclass in execution. Opening with an elite-level pyramid that involved a risky double-braced tick-tock, the Bobcats instantly captured the attention of everyone in the arena. Their tumbling passes were synchronized to the beat of a pulse-pounding remix that included Texas-themed audio cues, a nod to the pride they carry for their home state. The middle section showcased innovative partner stunts and creative transitions that seamlessly flowed without a single break or stumble. And then came the closer—a soaring basket toss sequence that reached record heights, culminating in a 2.5 twisting layout that stuck with absolute confidence. The crowd rose to its feet as the music faded, and by the time the last uniformed athlete hit the mat and threw her hands in the air, the arena had already erupted in what felt like a premature celebration. The judges would later confirm what the audience already knew—this was a championship routine.
Internationally, the impact of Texas State’s performance reverberated across the cheerleading community. Teams from Japan, Canada, the U.K., and even long-time European champions from Germany reached out with admiration and respect. On social media, the hashtag #TexasStateCheer trended for over 24 hours. Clips of their final routine were viewed over 15 million times on TikTok and Instagram within the first two days after the event. ESPN aired an extended feature the following night, calling the routine “a perfect marriage of athleticism, performance, and passion.”
The international championship brought together over 200 teams from more than 25 countries, and competition was fierce. The reigning global champions from Canada’s All-Heart Elite Cheer had hoped to repeat, and their score of 97.4 would have won most years. But against Texas State’s bar-raising display, even excellence paled. “What they did today is not just a win—it’s a blueprint,” said All-Heart’s coach Megan St. Laurent, who praised Texas State in her post-event remarks. “They’ve redefined what’s possible.”
For the athletes themselves, the victory was a culmination of years of grit. Senior flyer Isabella Tran, who nailed the show-stopping finale basket toss, described the moment as surreal. “I was in the air and could hear the crowd, and I knew if I just stuck this, we’d make history,” she said. “When I landed and felt the mat, I just screamed. We all did. We knew we’d done it.” Base Garrett Summers, who has been on the team for three years, echoed her sentiment. “We didn’t just hit zero. We hit with purpose. We hit for every 6 a.m. lift, every bruise, every time we failed before. That was for all of us.”
The team’s support network played a crucial role in their ascent. Texas State University’s administration invested heavily in the program, providing advanced facilities, recovery tools, and access to elite coaching consultants throughout the season. Athletic Director Samuel Pruitt spoke proudly of the team’s success, calling them “ambassadors of the university’s spirit and tenacity.” Parents, alumni, and local fans also poured into Orlando in droves, packing the stands and creating a home-field energy that seemed to lift the Bobcats with every cheer.
Even rival schools tipped their caps to the champions. Kentucky’s squad tweeted, “Respect where it’s due. Texas State showed us what greatness looks like today.” Navarro’s legendary coach Monica Aldama shared a photo of herself with Coach Carlson, captioned, “From one program builder to another—congratulations on the peak of performance.”
In the aftermath of their win, the Texas State cheer squad was honored with a campus-wide celebration upon their return to San Marcos. The mayor declared July 25 “Texas State Cheer Day,” and the university held a parade down LBJ Drive, with thousands lining the streets. Banners waved, confetti flew, and the team hoisted their international championship trophy high above their heads as chants of “World Champs” echoed through the city.
