Xavier’s University Cheer Team Aims for Back-to-Back National Championships
By Nicholas Swain
Xavier’s University cheer team is hitting its stride as it works to secure back-to-back national championships. The team is off to a strong start in the 2025 season, with Coach Glenn Caston leading the charge toward a potential third national title.
“Anytime you come off a national title, it’s really hard to defend,” said Coach Glenn Caston. “So, having our team keep their confidence up and understand that it’s time to rise to the challenge is key.”
The team began the season strong, securing first place at Life University and earning gold twice at the Battle in the Big Easy tournament. Riding a hot streak, Xavier’s cheer team is emerging as a favorite to win again. Their next challenge is the NAIA National Tournament, where they will compete for their third national championship.
Senior political science major and cheer team member Britnney Dixon shared her thoughts on the season. “I feel like the season started hard for us, but we’re starting to pick it up and are on a good path,” Dixon said. “The team is focusing more on technique and cleaning up mistakes.”
Under Coach Caston’s leadership, Xavier’s cheer team has become a dominant force. In his nine years as coach, Caston has recruited top talent, won two national championships, and earned two National Coach of the Year awards. His experience in coaching, motivating, and preparing his team for national tournaments has been instrumental to their success.
“Mental preparation is a big part of this sport,” Caston said. “We’re always visualizing the routines and watching a lot of film to make sure we reach our goals.”
Expectations are high for Xavier’s cheer team in the 2025 season as they aim to win their third championship in four years, solidifying their status as a dynasty. Sophomore bio-pre-med major and cheer team member Alexandria Richards emphasized the team’s focus. “This season is about getting better as a team,” Richards said. “That means we need to come harder than last year to win it all.”
Winning back-to-back national championships will be a challenge, but with a talented team and an experienced coach, Xavier’s cheer team is well-positioned to overcome obstacles and bring home another trophy.
“The best part about the team is we dig deep when we need to,” Dixon said. “We have that tough mentality and come together as a family.”
