Cheer and dance returns to Xavier for Battle in the Big Easy 

February 1, 2024

By Scott Lipscomb, Sports Writer

The Convocation Center was filled with cheerleaders, dancers, and even color guards as the Third Annual Battle in the Big Easy took place on Feb. 1. 

The competition was hosted by the 2022 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national champions, Xavier University’s cheer squad. The two-day competition is the third annual competition after Xavier’s cheer coach Glenn Caston had the inaugural competition in 2022. 

Coming off a second-place finish at the Viking Classic with a score of 87.74, Xavier was determined to come home and secure a 1st place victory. At the Viking Classic, Xavier cheer were runners up to St. Ambrose, the 2023 NAIA national champion, who scored 91.98 points. 

“Practices are intense,” said competitive cheer graduate assistant Nyah Moore, affectionately called the “First Lady of XULA cheer,” who has been manager for the team since coach Glenn took over. “But the results show how our squad has been a top team every season. They want to get back to being champions and put in all the work to do so.” 

The night opened with different dance teams competing as fans began to fill the stands. Ave Maria University (FL) swept the first day going 3-0 as they would eventually go on to go 10-0 and win the entire dance competition. They had a meet high of 82.57. 

After the dancers competed, supporters were able to see some high school cheer teams as well as color guards. Holy Cross High School in New Orleans, as well as Brother Martin High School both showcased their cheer squads with other younger cheerleaders in the stands watching.  

A young fan in the stands named Amiyah said “she wants to be a Xavier cheerleader” when she grows up after meeting some of the team before they hit the mat. 

Edna Karr High School and Abramson Science Academy both had their drill teams perform to give the crowd a taste of New Orleans culture. The young men not only did a great debut, but also will perform in various Mardi Gras parades alongside their respective bands. 

With the support of their fans and their home mat, Xavier’s squad notched a season high 96.50 on the second day. Xavier has been a premier cheer spot in the NAIA with a national championship and six NAIA All-American team members’ last season. 

After falling short last year at nationals with a 6th-place finish, this team looked revitalized and ready to reclaim their spot as champions. Following the Battle in the Big Easy, the team headed to Kansas for the Thresher Invitational on Feb. 16 where they tied for first place with a score of 97.73. 

“I’m proud of them, we’ve been on the road most of January and going back on the road mid-February,” Caston said. “The way they’ve bought into what we are trying to build shows their commitment to being the best of the best.”