The Bethany College cheer and dance squads competed at the COA Mid America National Championship held March 26-27 in Kansas City, Mo. Both came home with national titles.

Leading up to the competition, the teams practiced four days a week for two hours each day. Back in January, head coach Taylor Eicholz had a three-day, nine hours a day clinic where the teams learned the routine.

"We prepared for everything and even changed our jump section for cheer last minute to make it more advanced," Eicholz said.

The last time cheer or dance competed at the COA competition was in 2005 when Eicholz was a member of the team. She said the cheer squad hasn't been to competition since due to the small number of members on the team.

"We were lucky enough to have eight guys come in and help us this year," she said. Funds needed to enter the competition has kept the teams away as well. However this year the team sold "We are the Swedes" t-shirts to allow us to pay their way.

"This means so much to us. We have worked so hard to get to where we are now," Eicholz said. And having once been a member of the team, Eicholz has seen first-hand how much the program has grown over the years.

"I could not be more proud of this group of kids. Their hard work paid off this weekend and seeing their faces & tears made it the most rewarding experience of my life," Eicholz said.

Going into competition, the team motto was "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Both teams proved that to be true this weekend. Each team received national championship trophies and banners that will be displayed at the college.