YPSILANTI, Mich. — Defending champion Xavier University of Louisiana is in fifth place after Friday's preliminary round of NAIA competitive cheer nationals.
        XULA scored 88.05. Ahead of the Gold were St. Ambrose at 95.83, Dickinson State at 89.83, Oklahoma City at 88.57 and Concordia (Mich.) at 88.52. The 2022 runner-up, Indiana Wesleyan, was ninth at 83.95.
        All 15 teams will compete Saturday; that round will start at 2 p.m. EST. XULA will be the 11th team to perform, and that's scheduled for 3:40. Final scores for each team will be based on 25 percent of Friday's points and 75 percent of Saturday's.
        For a XULA repeat as national champion, it will require some skill and some hope.
        The example of hope: Suppose St. Ambrose's Saturday score is two points lower than its Friday score. Based on the 25/75 format, the Fighting Bees' final score would be 94.32. If XULA's Saturday score were 96.42 or higher, that would be enough to overtake St. Ambrose. Can XULA accomplish that? Based on XULA's February scores — three final marks higher than 96.42, including a school-record 98.6 — don't count out the Gold yet.
        If St. Ambrose's Saturday score is the same as Friday, XULA would need 98.42 to pass the Fighting Bees and win another national title.
        The awards ceremony will begin at approximately 5 p.m.

Day 1 scores
95.83    St. Ambrose
89.83    Dickinson State
88.57    Oklahoma City
88.52    Concordia (Mich.)
88.05    XULA
86.87    Missouri Valley
84.77    Midland
84.42    Georgetown (Ky.)
83.95    Indiana Wesleyan
83.30    Cumberlands
82.18    Friends
82.00    MidAmerica Nazarene
80.02    Tennessee Southern
79.47    Mobile
75.50    Grand View