Bowling Green State University Athletics
Cheerleaders Win Gold At ICU World Championships
April 29, 2014 | General
Orlando, Fla. – Five BGSU cheerleaders earned gold medals at The International Cheer Union (ICU) 2014 World Cheerleading Championships April 25-26 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Bekah Pater, Michelle Bowles, Megan Gill and Abbey Pilgrim earned a gold medal with Team USA in the elite division, while Drew Ashby-King earned a gold medal with Team New Zealand in the premiere division.
The five members were selected by their countries following the College Cheer Championships in January. The ICU comprises 105 member National Cheer Federations and 3.5 million athletes on all continents. At the 2014 Worlds, 70 countries competed for the World Championship title.
"Our five cheerleaders trained hard when they returned from College Cheer Nationals to represent BGSU and their countries," Bowling Green cheerleading coach Anne Marie King said. "I am proud of their continuous dedication to represent BGSU, the United States and New Zealand. This was not only a great athletic opportunity, but an opportunity to learn more about other cultures and athletes from around the world."
Team USA selects top athletes from around the country to represent. BGSU's cheerleaders trained with Team USA in Florida April 7-24 and represented the country for the second consecutive year. Ashby-King trained with Team New Zealand in Los Angeles from April 17-24 and it is his fourth year representing his home country.
For Team USA, it was the program's sixth consecutive gold medal. Team New Zealand won its first gold medal this year.
QUOTES FROM BGSU STUDENT-ATHLETES:
Freshman Drew-Ashby King:
"It was an amazing opportunity to not only represent my home county of New Zealand, but BGSU on the world stage. My year cheering at BGSU helped both my physical and mental readiness and to execute all athletic components. Winning gold was the icing on the cake to the amazing experience of representing my country and BGSU."
Senior Michelle Bowles:
"BGSU cheer was the foundation for getting us trained and prepared for Team USA. Without Coach King's training, we would not have been guaranteed a spot on the floor. This was an amazing experience to represent BGSU and my country."
Junior Abbey Pilgrim:
"It was such a life changing experience. Not only were we able to represent our own individual talents and represent BGSU, but the United State of America. I had the opportunity to better myself from the learning from my teammates and coaches from all across the county. At the same time, I was learning about different traditions and cultures from other countries as well."
Sophomore Bekah Pastor:
"It has been an honor to represent Team USA for the past two years. I am appreciative to have competed on a team with so much athletic talent and success. I am thankful for the experience and support from BGSU; I would not be where I am today without all the support from BGSU!"
CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
The five members were selected by their countries following the College Cheer Championships in January. The ICU comprises 105 member National Cheer Federations and 3.5 million athletes on all continents. At the 2014 Worlds, 70 countries competed for the World Championship title.
"Our five cheerleaders trained hard when they returned from College Cheer Nationals to represent BGSU and their countries," Bowling Green cheerleading coach Anne Marie King said. "I am proud of their continuous dedication to represent BGSU, the United States and New Zealand. This was not only a great athletic opportunity, but an opportunity to learn more about other cultures and athletes from around the world."
Team USA selects top athletes from around the country to represent. BGSU's cheerleaders trained with Team USA in Florida April 7-24 and represented the country for the second consecutive year. Ashby-King trained with Team New Zealand in Los Angeles from April 17-24 and it is his fourth year representing his home country.
For Team USA, it was the program's sixth consecutive gold medal. Team New Zealand won its first gold medal this year.
QUOTES FROM BGSU STUDENT-ATHLETES:
Freshman Drew-Ashby King:
"It was an amazing opportunity to not only represent my home county of New Zealand, but BGSU on the world stage. My year cheering at BGSU helped both my physical and mental readiness and to execute all athletic components. Winning gold was the icing on the cake to the amazing experience of representing my country and BGSU."
Senior Michelle Bowles:
"BGSU cheer was the foundation for getting us trained and prepared for Team USA. Without Coach King's training, we would not have been guaranteed a spot on the floor. This was an amazing experience to represent BGSU and my country."
Junior Abbey Pilgrim:
"It was such a life changing experience. Not only were we able to represent our own individual talents and represent BGSU, but the United State of America. I had the opportunity to better myself from the learning from my teammates and coaches from all across the county. At the same time, I was learning about different traditions and cultures from other countries as well."
Sophomore Bekah Pastor:
"It has been an honor to represent Team USA for the past two years. I am appreciative to have competed on a team with so much athletic talent and success. I am thankful for the experience and support from BGSU; I would not be where I am today without all the support from BGSU!"
Senior Megan Gill:
"This was the second year that I was fortunate enough to represent the United States through USA Cheer. This was also the last time I would participate in a competitive athletic competition and I was thrilled for it to be on an international stage. I would not have been prepared to do this without having competed for BGSU for the last four years along with the amazing support of teammates, coaches and faculty. I am excited to end my career with a National Championship for BGSU and a World Championship for the United States!"CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
BGSU Softball "Outside the Chalk" - Morgan Beckham (April 21, 2026)
Wednesday, April 22
BGSU Men's Golf : Posttournament Interviews 4.20
Monday, April 20
BGVB vs DePaul & Grand Valley
Saturday, April 18
BGSU Softball Highlights (April 17, 2026)
Friday, April 17