KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics could conduct its first national championship in competitive cheer and dance as early as the spring of 2012. Competitive cheer and dance, under the NAIA governance structure, reached championship sport status when more than 50 member colleges and universities declared to participate during the 2010-11 academic year.

Wayland Baptist University has announced the hiring of Kristen Jones as coach of the new Competitive Cheer and Dance program.

Jones is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University where she was a member of and later an assistant coach for the nationally ranked SFA Pom Squad. Most recently Jones has served as the assistant director of the national champion McLennan Community College Dance Company.

Wayland Baptist's rapidly growing athletics program will add Competitive Cheer and Dance Programs for men and women beginning in the fall of 2010.