Oklahoma City University spirit squad stunters Daniel Laakman and Jena Stewart are sitting in the top five nationally after their preliminary submissions to compete at UCA Nationals.
Laakman and Stewart are currently ranked third in the nation in the partner stunt division after their video entry for the Universal Cheerleaders Association Nationals. Laakman and Stewart are the highest ranked partner stunt pair in the state, currently ranked ahead of competitors from NCAA Division I Oklahoma State.
“These athletes have been working since August to perfect routines and polish skills,” OCU coach Brandy Corcoran said. “I am so glad their hard work has paid off. I can’t wait to make our first appearance as Oklahoma City University at UCA Nationals. Competing with such a talented group of athletes will make this appearance an impressionable one to say the least.”
Laakman, a senior from Midwest City, Okla., took first place in the partner stunt division in the USA All-Star, Dance and College Nationals last February.
“I’m really pumped about our ranking because previously I’ve placed 17th or 19th, so this is a huge improvement,” Laakman said.
The all-girl stunt group consisting of Cheyenne Felts, Alex Miller, Savannah Owen and Jamie Lu Sheppard are ranked fourth in the nation after a video entry for the all-girl group stunt division for UCA Nationals. This group is the highest ranked all-girl group in Oklahoma, again topping Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the initial rankings.
“We’ve worked really hard this semester, and we are so excited to be in the top five and No. 1 out of the Oklahoma schools,” said Owen, a senior from Edmond, Okla. “Our hard work has gotten us this far, and we hope it will take us to a national championship.”
The partner stunt and all-girl group will compete at UCA Nationals on Jan. 14-16, 2011 at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
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