HAMBURG, NY--Buffalo State captured its first-ever national crown by winning 2007 COA National Championships at the Hamburg Agri-Center on Saturday, April 14. The Bengals won the four-team College All Girl Division that included Brock University from Ontario, CA, College Misericordia from Dallas, Pa., and bitter rivals SUNY Geneseo.

SUNY Geneseo recently edged the Bengals at the 2007 CNY Championships but finished 2nd to Buffalo State at the 2007 New York State Championships.

Buffalo State was up first and performed a near flawless routine, but suffered nine points in technical deductions for a touch down on a tumbling pass, and two small drops. Brock University, who finished 3rd in 2003 and 2nd in 2004 at Nationals, was followed by two-time defending National Champions SUNY Geneseo. The final team to compete was College Misericordia, 2004 National Champions.

Buffalo State came away with a score of 204.26, followed by Geneseo's 195.5. Third place went to Brock University with a score of 185.00, and in 4th with score of 165.75 was College Misericordia.

This competition was particularly special because it marked the 20th Anniversary of the Cheerleaders of America (COA), a Cheer and Dance company founded by President and CEO, Steven G. Wedge.

Buffalo State Cheerleading is lead by Head Coach Reynaldo Rivas and captains Bonnie Simmons and Ashley Verrill. This competition marks the end of the Cheerleading season for the Bengals, which had one of the most successful seasons in a long time. The 2007 COA National Championship marked the Bengals' fourth win in six competitions this year.