excerpts compliments of www.ssacsports.com
DECATUR, Ala. | The Florida Memorial University competitive cheer team made history on Saturday as they were named 2025 Southern States Athletic Conference Competitive Cheer Champions. The Lions edged out UT Southern in dramatic fashion 93.91 - 93.36 for their first conference championship in program history.
As a result, FMU head cheer coach Ayana Harris was named 2025 SSAC Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year. In addition, the SSAC announced the 2025 competitive cheer award winners Friday evening at the awards banquet.
"It is very difficult to put into words," said Harris. "This journey started four years ago with nothing more than a hope that we could field a competitive cheer team at Florida Memorial University. I can remember being at the 2022 conference championship with only six athletes, which is two less than the required minimum of eight. We took a penalty before we even hit the mat for not meeting the required minimum, and it was very difficult to compete against so many experienced programs. We finished fifth overall out of 10 teams, and I told my athletes that their courage and perseverance would pave the way for future FMU cheerleaders to have a chance to compete and win," Harris explained.
The league recognized All-Conference, Champions of Character and Barnes & Noble College All-Academic Team honorees. Individual award winners were voted on during the 2025 SSAC Competitive Cheer Championship Saturday as FMU junior back spot / base Jayada Rouse led a program-best five All-Conference selections for Florida Memorial University and was named 2025 SSAC Competitive Cheer Tumbler of the Year.
"Even when some major injuries threatened our season, our student-athletes refused to give up," stated Harris. "To bring it all full circle, I still have one senior this year who was on the inaugural 2022 team. So to win the conference championship, have the maximum of five all-conference athletes, and one athlete named Tumbler of the Year, and to be awarded SSAC Coach of the Year, its a very surreal moment for our little HBCU in South Florida, and it proves what can be achieved through commitment and hard work."
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2025 All-Conference
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Charles Henkel
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Brewton-Parker
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JR
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Emma Banks
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Brewton-Parker
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SR
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Harley Slade
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Brewton-Parker
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FR
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Charlie Kendrick
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Florida Memorial
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SR
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Ja'Cobe Hearren
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Florida Memorial
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FR
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Jamiyah West
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Florida Memorial
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SO
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Jayada Rouse
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Florida Memorial
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JR
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Ramiya Hawthorne
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Florida Memorial
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FR
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Savana Palos
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Life
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SO
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Sydney Lagg
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Life
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SR
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Victoria Crouchet
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Life
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JR
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Alex Balinbin
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Loyola
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JR
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Alyvia Pierson
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Loyola
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FR
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Gabrielle Kliebert
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Loyola
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SR
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Sydney Brasseux
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Loyola
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FR
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Alex Godwin
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Mobile
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JR
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Madison Cooley
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Mobile
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SR
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Meredith Cole
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Mobile
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FR
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Alison Baker
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Point
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SR
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Crystal Ingram
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Point
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SR
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Jada Culler
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Point
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SR
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Khaci Spence
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Point
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JR
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Aspen Grubbs
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UT Southern
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SO
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Chloe LeClair
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UT Southern
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SR
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Colt Roberts
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UT Southern
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JR
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Karley Harvey
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UT Southern
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SO
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Nakiya Mostella
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UT Southern
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SR
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Hollie Mitchell
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William Carey
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JR
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