Daytona 2024 is the goal for cheer teams across the nation and many work the whole year for just a few minutes on the mat. This year – Niagara Univesity cheer is gunning for gold.

"This is the big time, this is going to the show," explained head coach Erin Bailey.

A year of preparation boils down to one routine. The wait is now just a few days for this team.

"It's a rush but it is really fun," said senior cheer team member Hailey Shani Griffin.

This is the team’s 12th year going to the NCA Nationals in Daytona.

"[There are] uniforms everywhere, bows everywhere, sparkles everywhere," laughed senior and cheer captain El Richards.

For Bailey, it's a show of perseverance.

"We've gone from totally dead last place, like we couldn't go any farther down than where we were, to - we've gone from 11 to nine, to seven, to fifth, to fourth, to third, to second, and we are on a goal to get first place this year," Bailey said.

They’re competing in the spirit rally division, which is much more than some chants on the sidelines.

"It's mainly like tumbling, spiriting," said Griffin. "We do megaphones, we use flags, we do signs. It's a lot of technique with everything."

They have hours-long practices pretty much every day, building skills and building bonds.

"I don't want to get emotional, but it means the world for me," said Griffin. "I've learned so much coming to this team. I learned leadership on this team, and I just learned to keep pushing forward."

Unlike other teams, they don’t have scholarships. They’re all here for the love of the sport.

"Everything we do is a choice, so make the choice to do everything you’re supposed to be doing," said one team member as they prepared to run their routine.

"I feel like nothing is as close of a bond as cheerleading, and going to Daytona, you really seal that bond with your team," added Richards.

So they’ll run it again, and again, and again, as they try to reach new heights.

"Keep calm and win Daytona," said Bailey.

They're doing it not just for themselves, but for the team.

"I will definitely cry a lot if we don't win, but I met some of my best friends on this team who I'll be friends with for the rest of my life," said Richards. "So that in itself is worth it for me."

NU first performs on April 12 in Daytona. You can watch on Varsity TV.