It has been over 30 years since Owensboro Catholic Cheer has represented the school at a national competition, but that changed this past weekend. The Lady Aces traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship DII, competing in Small Varsity Non Tumbling DII Game Day. They finished 12th in Preliminary Group B with a score of 80.
“Being able to compete at Nationals after more than 30 years means everything to me, especially being an Owensboro Catholic High School cheer alumna,” Owensboro Catholic Assistant Coach Abby Burns said. “It is a testament to our dedication, teamwork, and belief in what we are capable of. We are not just representing ourselves. We are representing our school, the Owensboro Catholic community, and a legacy that is decades in the making.”
The Lady Aces echoed their coach’s sentiment and were proud to see all of their hard work pay off.
“Representing OCHS at Nationals for the first time in 30 years competing is about making history,” senior Payton Burns said. “Proving our dedication, inspiring future teams, and being a part of something bigger than ourselves.”
For Payton Burns, this moment meant even more, as she battled and persevered through multiple injuries to ensure she could end her cheer career with her teammates at Nationals.
“Even though it wasn’t perfect, what matters most is that we made history, represented our school with pride and gave our best effort,” Payton Burns said. “I was also able to take the mat for the very last time with my best friends! Future teams now have something to aim for because of this achievement. We didn’t just show up, we showed what OCHS cheer is capable of.”
Entering the season, the Lady Aces set their eyes on reaching Nationals, pushing through adversity to reach their goal. They competed in five competitions this season, improving upon their score from the first one by 17 points at Nationals.
“We have had so many people helping us and cheering for us along the way that we are incredibly grateful for,” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Jenny Burns said. “I can’t thank our parents, OCHS cheer alumni, the cheer coaches from Owensboro, Daviess County, and Apollo, and especially our school administration for their love and support.”
