For four University of Delaware cheerleaders, what started as a goal turned into a nationally recognized accomplishment and a chance to represent the United States on cheer's biggest stage. 

Jill Doughtery, Tamara Harmon, Diana Rodriguez and Demi Schlotter made UD history by winning third place at the UCA College Partner Stunt National Championship this past January. 

"We went into it thinking just to trust each other and weren't even thinking about the placement," Dougherty said. "We just wanted to go out there and have fun. Afterwards, we were very appreciative and thought it was amazing."

Their ability to work well together is obvious, but their stunt group was formed by chance.

"When Diana and Tamara were incoming freshmen, we were all put in the same stunt group. Jill was already pretty known in the cheer community, and is such a technical flyer, so I already knew she had the skill," Schlotter said. "I felt if we put it all together, it could be something really great. We stunted around together for fun, and then I proposed the idea." 

The group gave credit to Doughtery for studying past score sheets to determine what would get them the most points. 

"Jill studied the scoresheets and what could get us the most points, even just a 10th of a point higher. When everyone is that close, it does matter a lot," Rodriguez said. 

That process elevated the girls to another level when they decided to try out for Team USA. Going up against groups from schools from around the country, they brought their routine and skills to a whole new level.

"Coming here, I feel like I didn't even know what Team USA was until Demi said we should make a group and try out," Harmon said. "Knowing how big this is, it's a lot, but I am so excited and proud of where we got.

When asked about transitioning from their training here at UD to their Team USA training, the girls talked about being open to change. 

"The training is a bit harder than we've had before. It's a big adjustment, but all of us are so willing to work and get to the level of other schools," Harmon said. 

Support from their team at Delaware has been unwavering.

"After we had tried out, we had such a big waiting period where doubt started to build," Rodriguez said. "They never let us get to the point of doubting ourselves that we wouldn't make it. They said no matter what, we already made history. There was never a doubt they were proud."

That team spirit is no accident. Spirit Coordinator and Head All-Girl Cheer Coach Kirby Lynch has prided the team on having a close-knit bond, and how the coaches help the team prepare.

"For partner stunt competitions, we tell all of our athletes that if they are interested, they can compete. The team comes first, and we will help them as much as they want," Lynch said. “We have had groups that will do it, plan the whole thing, and just ask us to come in while filming their qualifying videos, and then we have had teams ask us to help them workshop their skills."

Lynch couldn't have been more proud of the girls and noted their work ethic. 

"I think it's mostly about putting in the extra work, problem-solving and dreaming for those skills," Lynch said. "They showed me their group chat from the day where they said, 'This starts now.' They want to get skills even if they don't fully understand them, and they continue to work so it's not when they hit those skills, but no chance to not get those skills."

As they prepare to represent the red, white and blue, the girls are not just reflecting on what they have accomplished but also on what the next step is. 

"This group makes anything possible," Dougherty said.

Their success has already made an impact on the spirit program and raised the bar for what is possible. The girls didn't just represent the University of Delaware, they heightened its presence. As they continue preparing and training to represent the U.S., they don't just have their own aspirations but also the encouragement of a team and university that is proud to have them.

The group takes the mat with Team USA on Thursday, April 24, at 1:35 p.m. Fans can watch on the Olympic Channel.