Rookie seasons can be filled with many unpleasantries, but for cheerleading coach Derek Ramel, his first NIU season was anything but unpleasant.

His coaching efforts launched the 18 NIU cheerleaders into the nation’s 10th-ranked squad at the NCA National College Cheerleading Championship held Jan. 4-5 in Dallas, Texas.

This was the first time the NIU cheerleaders have qualified on a national scope.

“I was very satisfied with our performance,” Ramel said. “For us to make it in one year is a major accomplishment. For next year, we plan on placing even higher.”

NIU was among 12 other national finalists in the competition. NIU finished with 351 points, five shy of the No. 9 spot. University of Missouri and Arkansas St. lost to NIU. Oklahoma State captured the No. 1 slot.

The cheerleaders were judged on motion technique, stunt difficulty, tumbling activity and choreography.

In order for NIU to improve in next year’s rankings, Ramel said the squad must improve on stunt difficulty. “From now on, the (NIU) fans will see us throwing girls up in the air a lot more often,” Ramel said.