Central Bucks Cheer Team Captures 2026 National Championship

BUCKINGHAM, PA — When it comes to school spirit, Central Bucks East High School is among the best in the nation.

The school's cheerleading squad - the Central Bucks East Cheer Team - brought home a national title on Feb. 8 after winning gold in its division at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Competition held at the ESPN Sports Complex at Disney World in Florida and beating its nearest competitor by two points.

Competing in the Division 1 Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Game Day Division, the school's cheer team, which regularly performs at CB East football and basketball games, topped 41 other teams from 19 states to win not only a national title for CB East, but the district's first-ever national cheer title.

"This win represents far more than a single performance. The resilience of these athletes stood out all season. They showed up through countless challenges, stayed committed to the process, and trusted each other when it mattered most. Watching that resilience on the national stage was incredibly meaningful," said Coach Erin O'Rourke.

Competing under O’Rourke and coaches Lexi Carp and Kate Bowden, CB East Cheer faced off against 14 other programs in the competition, advancing to the final round after securing a first-place finish in the preliminaries. The first-place finish allowed the team to bypass the semi-finals and move directly to the finals.

The CB East Cheer Team with its national trophy. (UCA National High School Cheerleading Competition)

The team's routine included a band chant, a crowd-leading section, and a fight song, showcasing energy, precision, and school spirit.

According to O'Rourke, the team's identity as "EAST" was emphasized through bold red, white, and blue visuals and the phrase “We Want You,” which was reinforced by an Uncle Sam image. The patriotic theme was integrated throughout each section of the team's performance and tied in with the nation's 250th birthday this year.

To qualify for the national championship, the squad first had to compete in the regionals last fall, where it won first place in each of its categories and the chance to compete nationally.

"The athletes in this program make up some of the most resilient, detail-oriented, and motivated athletes we have come across in our coaching careers," said O'Rourke. "They hold each other
accountable, put in extra time outside of practice to continue to perfect their craft - lifting each other up every step of the way. The returners from last year’s Game Day team knew what it felt like to have a goal and come up short of a podium finish at the 2025 National Championship and continued to push themselves and their team to put the work in throughout the season so they could go into the National Championship with confidence."

O'Rourke said the season presented challenges "that tested our team’s resilience and focus, but the athletes never allowed those moments to dull their motivation or commitment to the program. Even while in Florida, they approached every day with purpose, discipline, and an understanding of the responsibility that comes with representing Central Bucks East at the national level," she said.

"We emphasized that while we were in Disney, the trip is a business trip and not a vacation," O'Rourke continued. "Our athletes spent a significant amount of time at the ESPN Center outside of their competition windows to hold additional practices with their choreographer, support other cheerleading programs, and observe performances across multiple divisions. Outside of ESPN, our program was able to spend a few hours at Hollywood Studios and Epcot throughout the weekend."

(Central Bucks East High School Cheer Team)