Two days before the Wichita State Cheer Team boarded a plane to Orlando for a national competition, disaster stuck.

A cheerleader suffered a concussion after falling during practice, and another team member rolled an ankle. Alternate Megan Landwehr swooped in, learning routines the team had been practicing all semester in a matter of days.

Despite the mishap, the team finished fourth in the United Cheer Association/United Dance Association 2013 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship and fifth in the world as part of Team USA in the International Cheer Union Co-ed Championship.

After arriving in Orlando, the trip went smoothly. The team even got to spend a few hours at Disney World between practices. Their presence at UCA/UDA was no surprise—they’ve been represented at the championship every year since it began, according to Head Coach Kelli Rappard.

The UCA/UDA Championship describes itself as “the most prestigious college cheerleading championship in the country.” Since Rappard became head coach five years ago, they’ve ranked between second and fifth every year. Rappard held a position at the Universal Cheerleaders Association for 13 years before coming to WSU.

“If we don’t finish in the top of the nation every year, then we’re not upholding the long line of alumni that has come before us,” Rappard said. “That’s a tradition we strive to uphold.”

The team has a consistent presence in WSU sports and in the Wichita community. Appearance requests at business openings, and events for charities and schools are common. Between these events, Shocker games, team and individual practices, Rappard estimates that each team member spends 15-20 hours per week cheering.

The team cheers at all home basketball games, leading crowds of 10,000 impassioned fans to motivate the Shockers to victory.

“To hear [the] roar of the crowd is shocking,” Rappard said.

Rappard says the co-ed nature of the team helps to balance and bond them, both on and off the court. Out of the 25 team members, almost half are men.

The team looks forward to the remainder of the basketball season. Their next appearance will be at the men’s basketball game against Indiana State University at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Charles Koch Arena. Looking ahead, the team is ready to score higher at next year’s UCA/UDA Championship.

“I’m ready for that number one spot,” Rappard said