**
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- **In one of the toughest competitions in recent years, the Titans selected their 2014 cheerleading squad in front of a near capacity crowd Thursday night at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.
Titans Director of Cheerleaders called Thursday night's competition "extremely close" among the finalists.
The Titans Cheerleaders formed their 2014 squad following Final Auditions - presented by Sun Tan City - at the Wildhorse Saloon. (Donn Jones Photography.com)
"We had another beautiful and talented group this year," Kinder said. "Ultimately the judges had to make some tough decisions. Only the slightest nuances separated the top 27, but I'm really excited about the final group. It's going to be an amazing season!"
The squad had been trimmed from 200 to 48 ladies during preliminary auditions held last month at Saint Thomas Sports Park. The finalists spent the last few weeks rehearsing for Thursday night, while undergoing formal business interviews with Kinder. Celebrity judges helped narrow the final team to 27 ladies.
The cheerleaders will have little time to celebrate as they prepare to leave Monday for their 2014 photo shoot at the Pearl, a high-end luxury resort located along Florida's Emerald Coast at Rosemary Beach.
Check Titans Online all next week for daily photo and video updates from the Pearl.
2014 TENNESSEE TITANS CHEERLEADERS
Marissa M
Katy M
Yalea
Jena L
Kaitlin K
Heather K
Ashley A
Jessi P
Jocelyn W
Brooke G
Whitney W
Ashley P
Tandra C
Jessica H
Anne P
Hannah S
Heidi H
Kiara Y
Brittni W
Elizabeth F
Evony T
Briana
Kristen S
Jennifer M
Julia N
Mariel L
Hannah M
