MONMOUTH, I ll. – The Monmouth College cheerleaders made quite an impression on the judges at the United Performing Association’s National Cheerleading Competition in Minneapolis, Minn., last weekend.

The Fighting Scots cheer team brought home third-place honors in their category. The University of Wisconsin -Oshkosh and the University of Nebraska finished first and second, respectively.

Just a few tenths of a point separated the top three teams. The competition impressed the judges so much that all three squads received bids to next year’s national competition, an honor that usually goes only to the first place finisher.

The judges expect another close competition next year, telling cheer coach Lari Bunch, “The top two teams will have a lot to worry about.”

“I’m very proud of the girls,” said Bunch. “To receive an automatic bid to next year’s national competition is quite an honor and is a testament to the girls’ talent and hard work. They really showed a lot of dedication and leadership in organizing their practices after the fall sports season.”

The team includes juniors Liz Ruebush of Blandinsville, Channon Corzatt of Stronghurst, Gina Wolf of Erie, Bridget Lee of Oswego and Stacie Finlen of Normal; sophomores Terra Nevitt of Lacon, Char Brue of Blandinsville and Michelle Moore of Knoxville; and freshmen Nicole Kaczmarek of Oswego, Emily Eddington of La Harpe, Beth Lindberg of Galva, Maggie Gallentine of Prophetstown, Christina Reiner of Clarendon Hills, Amber Bowman of Taylor Ridge, Lisa Pryor of Galesburg and Jeniah Chesser of Wyoming.