Kentucky sports is filled with tradition, particularly on the basketball court. Whether it's been under Adolph Rupp, or more recently Rick Pitino or Tubby Smith, the Wildcats have put out a great product and are constantly competing for an NCAA title.

But UK hoops has nothing on UK Cheerleading.

There have been memorable dunks, three pointers, and the cutting down of nets.

But there's been even more roundoffs, back handsprings, full twists, and standing backtucks.

Not that I know what any of those things are.

Inside a blue and white, sparsely decorated practice room, we watched the Blue Squad, which is comprised of the experienced Kentucky cheerleaders (the White Squad is for freshmen), complete a practice that lasted nearly two hours. First, they did some stretching. Then it was on to gymnastics, stunts, pyramids, and game routines.

The cheerleaders, like any other athletes, have it rough. A typical week consists of three practices, each one two and a half hours long. It's all in preparation for Nationals. The preparation really heats up over Christmas break. During that time, the squad will practice for two and a half hours twice a day, seven days a week, for a little more than two weeks.

"It's a lot of hard work and a lot of time and dedication," senior Danielle Hering said. "And if you have it, you're going to stick it through, and that's why we're the best."

The proof is on the walls surrounding the practice facility. There wasn't much to look at in this room, but the championship banners stood out like a Louisville fan in Rupp Arena. Very noticeable...only in a good way in this case.

National Champions in 1985, '87, '88, '92, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '04, '05, and '06.

Yeah but Kentucky didn't do anything before 1985.

That's because the Universal Cheerers Association didn't start having championships until 1983.

It's a sport that has been thoroughly dominated by the Wildcats, and that's why the best of the best come to Kentucky. They come from all over the country. Tonight's squad alone had cheerleaders from Nashville, Alabama, San Diego, Chicago, Indiana, Atlanta, etc... but if in high school you haven't been on an All-Star team, Kentucky won't be considering you for the squad.

In Rupp Arena, thousands of screaming fans will drop hundreds of dollars to see the Kentucky basketball team. But they get much more than just hoops.

"People pay money to come to the games and be entertained," explained the cheerleading squad's adviser, T. Lynn Williamson.

They get what they pay for at Kentucky. When the cheerleaders form the Wildcat Pyramid, all of Rupp Arena will get up and make noise as if a game-winning shot is being made.

"It's amazing cheering at Rupp Arena," Hering said.

It's also amazing to be champions of your sport, something Hering is no stranger to.

"As soon as you step off that floor and you know you just nailed that routine, it's the best feeling."

If you're a sports fan, you know how grueling fall practice can be. You read about players running suicide sprints and doing up-downs. But the people cheering on the sidelines deal with just as rigorous a schedule as the athletes they cheer for, and at Kentucky, it all leads to one outcome almost every time.

"At the end," Hering said, "we get a National Championship. So it's all worth it."