By O’Shaka Robinson, Sports Writer
OCU won three more championships after a successful weekend in Daytona, Fla.
The spirit squads, composed of all-girl cheer, large co-ed cheer and team performance pom team competed against teams from across the country.
The teams brought home NAIA titles in all-girl cheer and large dance and earned a Division II title in large coed cheer.
OCU received a score of 92.40 in the all-girl cheer category, 9.498 in the large dance category and a final-round score of 94.53 to win the Division 2 title.
“Even though this is my first year being a collegiate national champion, I take pride in the fact that I have helped my team and our school continue our tradition of excellence,” freshman cheerleader, Karly Judkins said.
The Stars beat Columbus State by 1.45 points to win the Division II championship.
The teams have won back-to-back national titles in cheer, but the Pom team fell short last year.
“This year we really focused on what it took us to win two years ago and focused on keeping the theme in contact with the dance,” said Kayle Marshall, junior pom member.
OCU beat St. Ambrose by 0.134 points and took the honor for most innovative choreography.
“We started a ritual this year where we just stand there with our arms out, eyes closed, feet together and just meditate,” Marshall said. “We did that right before we went on, prayed, danced, and won.”
OCU was ranked No. 1 in Division II STUNT, but lost 33-32 in quadruple overtime to Central Oklahoma in the Division II STUNT championship.
“Moving to Division II was tough and the team stepped up and had an amazing performance,” Coach Brandy Corcoran said.
Corcoran was named Division II STUNT Coach of the Year.
The Stars also received a runner-up in hip-hop dance, falling short by 0.096 points. OCU’s mascot, Starsky, finished runner-up as well in the mascot competition to Wright State’s Rowdy Raider.
The competition will be televised on CBS Sports Network at 11 a.m. April 28 and again at 11 a.m. May 5.
Leave a Reply