DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. - - Cumberland University's cheer team finished third in the finals and brought home the bronze trophy for the first time in program history. 

The Phoenix placed third out of eight teams with a raw score of 78.0333 after 0.25 points in deductions, with an event score of 85.5787 to take home the third place trophy. 

Hope International University earned first place, earning the top spot with a raw score of 84.0333 and had zero points in deductions and an event score of 93.287. Texas Wesleyan University finished in second place with a raw score of 84.3333 and had a 1.25 point deduction and an event score of 92.4815. 

Behind the Phoenix is St Xavier University with a raw score of 74.8333, a 0.25 point deduction, and an event score of 82.3565 to place them in fourth. Friends University finished in fifth place with a raw score of 73.2333, they had a 0.75 point deduction, and an event score of 79.4745.

Marian University finished in sixth with a raw score of 72.7333 and had a 2 point deduction with an event score of 79.2083. Columbia College finished in seventh with a raw score of 69.3333, a 2.25 point deduction, and an event score of 75.4375. Montreat College rounds out the field finishing in eighth with a raw score of 62.7667, an .75 point deduction, and an event score of 69.0648.

With the third place the Phoenix brings home hardware for the first time in program history and their highest placement in an NCA national event.