Morgan State University won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Cheerleading Championship Monday evening at the Joel Coliseum in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

The Bears captured first place honors for the first time since 2006, while the Norfolk State Spartans placed second and Maryland Eastern Shore finished third in overall team performance. In addition to winning in overall performance category, the Bears also won the All-Girls Division and All-Star Division.

The 2011 MEAC Cheerleading Championship is the opening event of the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament.  The Basketball Tournament tips off March 8-12 at the Joel Coliseum. 

MSU's Ashley Cottrell won the gold in the All-Star Division while Candice Scales of Howard was second and Norfolk State's Sherice Small was third.

In the All-Girls Division, Morgan State won its second consecutive title. The Spartans earned the silver and Maryland Eastern Shore finished in third.

"Our girls were dedicated and worked hard this year," stated Morgan State head coach Kim Watkins.  "The cheerleading championship was competitive and I am very proud of the team's efforts." 

2011 MEAC Cheerleading Championship Results:

All-Star Division
1^st place: Ashley Cottrell, Morgan State University
2^nd place: Candice Scales, Howard University
3^rd place: Shareice Small, Norfolk State University

All-Girls Division
1^st place: Morgan State University
2^nd place: Norfolk State University
3^rd place:  University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Co-Ed Division
1^st place: Florida A&M University
2^nd place: Delaware State University

Overall Performance
1^st place: Morgan State University
2^nd place: Norfolk State University
3^rd place: University of Maryland Eastern Shore