Final performances don't always live up to expectations.

This one sure did.

The Butler High School cheerleading squad finished in fourth place out of 54 teams Sunday at the Universal Cheerleading Association National Championships in Orlando.

Five of the team's members are seniors - Tara Maxwell, Ashley McGee, Nichole Geibel, Emily Ashcraft and Brittany Scott, who was unable to compete due to injury.

"This is it for our seniors," said Butler coach Randi Stoner. "If either of our basketball teams were in the playoffs, we'd come back and cheer for them, but they both didn't make it.

"Our seniors are taking their Butler uniforms off for the last time," Stoner added. "And I'm not happy at all to be saying that."

Stoner was happy with the performance of her team, which got better each time it took the floor.

"Their routine during the preliminaries (Saturday) was good, but it definitely needed some cleaning up," said Stoner. "Then it just got better through the semifinals (Sunday morning) and finals."

Taking first place was Hazel Green High School from Kentucky.

"I'd say this year's competition was the toughest we've faced," said Stoner. "And our finals performance was the best I've seen from our team."

The fourth place finish adds to an impressive streak for the Golden Tornado. The squad finished third last year and 11th in 2003 at the national event.

Maxwell and McGee, the team's co-captains, and Geibel have been members on all three teams and have made it to the finals every year.

"We wished we could've gotten third place or better," said Maxwell. "But we are not disappointed with our effort. All the girls performed so well."

Even for the veteran competitor, nerves can play a role on such a big stage.

"The stadium was packed," said McGee. "I was definitely nervous, but it actually helped me to focus and do my best.

"This is a great way to go out," McGee said. "I never would have dreamt we'd make it to the finals three straight years; and to place as well as we did, it's unbelievable."

Other members of the team include Nicole Scott, Mel Grant, Emily Wingfield, Haley Spinneweber, Missy Mato, Carly Baxter, Ashley Sklar, Kendall Butch, Mel Grinder and Brittany Cratty.

The team is expected to fly home Tuesday morning.

"The thing I am most proud of is that the girls are becoming more seasoned competitors and more confident in their abilities," said Stoner.