BUTLER TWP — Even going back to her freshman year, Nina Hindman knew what she wanted to do in college.

“I knew four years of this wasn't going to be enough,” the Butler senior recalled saying about competitive cheerleading.

It doesn't have to be.

Hindman, one of the Golden Tornado cheerleading captains, signed a letter of intent Tuesday to continue her academic and cheerleading career at the University of Delaware.

“It's a top-flight program, one of the best in the country,” Butler cheerleading coach Marianne Miller said. “They've won multiple national championships.

“Nina deserves this. She's been the heart and soul of our team the past four years.”

Hindman was part of two WPIAL championship squads, one PIAA championship squad and two state runner-up teams at Butler. She cheered on Tornado squads that placed 12th and 18th at Universal Cheerleading Association Nationals in Orlando, Fla.

Rob Ellery, Delaware's head coach, is heavily involved in UCA. He has also choreographed Butler's routine.

“That's how he got to know Nina,” Miller said. “He was here watching us practice and she really stood out.”

Hindman chose Delaware over Morehead State University, which also has a standout cheering program. She will major in business operations management.

Hindman carried a 4.3 grade-point average in high school.

“I attended a cheering clinic at Delaware in the winter and fell in love with the school, the program and the team,” Hindman said. “They've already accomplished so much and I'm anxious to become a part of that.

“My journey began cheering midget football as a little girl at Butler Memorial Park. I've always loved doing this.”

She's gotten pretty good at it, too.

“Nina is the total package,” Miller said. “She's an outstanding tumbler, does crowd-pleasing stunts, great jumps, she can be a strong base in the middle or on the side.

“She's the hardest-working athlete I've coached. She has crowd appeal, is a great performer ... She was made for this.”

Hindman also did the pole vault and long jump for the Butler girls track and field team her junior year. She was part of a WPIAL championship squad.

“I will always be proud of that,” she said. “I just felt like this year, I had to concentrate fully on my cheerleading.”

Hindman becomes the first Butler cheerleader to go Division i since Emily Huber went to Penn State three years ago.

Hindman credits Haley Stariet — a senior at Butler when she was a freshman — for helping to develop her cheering skills. Stariet is now a cheerleader at Slippery Rock University.

“She taught me so much. A lot of my skills today, I owe to her,” Hindman said.

She also credited parents Wayne and Lucia Hindman “for pushing me and supporting me toward realizing this dream of being a college cheerleader.”

Hindman had to attend four days of cheerleading tryouts at Delaware three weeks ago to earn a spot on the team. She will be a member of the Blue Hens' all-girl team. They have a co-ed squad as well.

“You can do a lot more things in collegiate cheerleading,” Hindman said. “The skills are more advanced and the rules allow for more.

“You can do more daring stunts, girls can be thrown higher, two girls can be held at the top of the formation instead of one ... I'm looking forward to the challenge.”