The Omnibus

Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Katie Hildenbrand The Southwest Baptist University Spirit Squad was named national champions of the Cheerleaders of America Cheer and Dance competition. (Left to right) Row 1: freshmen Sarah Redmond and Krystal Hamlet, junior Tia Payne, freshman Amanda Hoard and sophomore Carmen Lambard. Row 2: juniors Megan Jasper and Holly Windham, freshmen Carly Breaux and Erin Crawley and junior Katie Heldenbrand. Row 3: freshmen Kendra Calmer and Jessica Craggs. Row 4: junior Shawn Cantrell and sophomore Richard Marks.

The Southwest Baptist University Spirit Squad became national champions of their division March 11 at the Cheerleaders of America (COA) Cheer and Dance Mid America Open National Competition at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
Entrance into the national competition was open to any college or university for a small fee. The COA National Competitions are held regionally throughout the United States each year.
SBU's 14-member team competed against two Kansas schools, McPherson College and Bethany University. The Spirit Squad came out on top, earning the approval of five judges.
The judges, coaches from universities such as the University of California - Los Angeles and Kansas University, rated each team on certain aspects of their two and a half minute routine. Scores were based on five aspects of the routine: pyramids, dances and stunts, running tumbling, standing tumbling and stunts.
The Spirit Squad began preparing for the competition last month. One week prior to the competition, the team practiced four to five hours a day.
"I was very excited to watch [the squad] and not have to compete," said Jessica Lee, Spirit Squad head coach. "I arrived in Kansas City four hours before the squad to make sure everything was ready to go. I was nervous."
The squad was only allowed 20 minutes to practice before competing.
"[The routine] was the most challenging I've ever seen a group of cheerleaders accomplish," said Lee.
For winning the competition, the team received a trophy and banner. Each winning team member received prizes including flip-flops, a scarf and gloves.
Members of the national champion SBU Spirit Squad are juniors Shawn Cantrell, Katie Heldenbrand, Megan Jasper, Holly Windham and Tia Payne; sophomores Carmen Lambard and Richard Marks and freshmen Carly Breaux, Kendra Calmer, Jessica Craggs, Erin Crawley, Krystal Hamlet, Amanda Hoard and Sarah Redmond.
"They did an amazing job with so many of them having little experience," said Lee.
"They are good at being flexible, and they are the most talented and dedicated team."

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