OCU STUNT recently began their 2021 season.
The Stars competed in their first tournament of the season Mar. 19-21 at Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. They played five matches in the tournament, competing against Missouri Baptist University (Mo.), Michigan State University (Mich.), Southwest Baptist University (Mo.), and University of Texas at Tyler (Texas) and University of Central Oklahoma. Maryville University (Mo.) and Oklahoma State University also competed at the tournament.
Each competition has four quarters, each focusing on different disciplines: pyramids and tosses, jumps and tumbling, partner stunts and a team routine. Teams compete head-to-head, performing the same routines as opposing groups. Scores are calculated on execution.
Jane Goto, marketing and management junior and STUNT team member, said she felt the Stars held their own in the tournament.
“It went really well,” Goto said. “We won three rounds and lost two.”
Goto said the team competes against universities across the nation.
“The teams tend to be from all over the country since STUNT, the sport, is a relatively new thing,” Goto said. “We compete against teams as close as Shawnee and as far as California and Michigan.”
STUNT, originally created by USA Cheer, is the fastest growing female sport at both high school and collegiate levels. OCU originally competed in STUNT from 2013-2015, with OCU Athletics officially introducing the sport as an intercollegiate athletics program in 2017.
Goto said the team practices rigorously in preparation for each competition and tournament.
“We wake up early for practice from 6 to 8 a.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday,” Goto said. “We work on a lot of jumps, tumbling, pyramids and stunts.”
Goto said STUNT is not currently allowed any spectators at their tournaments.
“I think, for the time being, it is the best decision not to allow spectators, because with STUNT the sport, there is so many schools coming at once,”Goto said.
Goto said the team prioritizes bonding.
“Our goal is to continue to work hard and encourage each other,” Goto said.
Goto said she is excited for the rest of the season.
“I feel very good about the season,” Goto said “I’m excited and I love it. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s definitely worth it.”
Kyra Rainbow, exercise sports science senior and STUNT member, said the team memorizes 28 routines each season and works to perfect them during practices.
“We might learn a new routine we haven’t done yet, or go through a routine we already know and sharpen it,” Rainbow said.
Rainbow said the team experienced some setbacks due to COVID-19 safety protocols.
“In the fall we weren’t allowed to stunt because we were only allowed to have three people in close proximity to each other, so all we could do was tumble,” Rainbow said. “A lot of other teams in our division had no restrictions in the fall, so when routines were released in September they started working while we didn’t get to start working until January.”
Rainbow the team has had a good start to the season, in spite of the obstacles.
“We’re competing at the same level as those teams, and winning and beating them despite the hardships in the fall,” Rainbow said. “We have only lost to teams from NCAA Division I universities.”
Rainbow said competing teams can choose whether or not to wear a mask while completing.
“When on the mat a team has discretion on whether to wear a mask or not,” Rainbow said. “We have some girls that do and some girls that don’t. There are other teams where everyone wears a mask when they go out to compete.”
The Stars will next compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics STUNT championships April 22-24 at Missouri Baptist in St. Louis, MO.
For more updates, students can visit the STUNT page on the OCUSports website or the MediaOCU sports page.
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