(Photo courtesy of Jaime Crawford)

On Wednesday, April 17, the St Ambrose cheer and dance teams celebrated winning back-to-back NAIA Competitive Cheer National Championships and their participation during the recent College Classic held in Florida.

President Amy Novak was present at the celebration, where she said, “Watching these teams perform, you can tell there is energy, there is passion, and precision in every move. You can see the commitment to being a top team. The way in which each of you represent yourselves to the SAU community, and the National community is impressive. I’m excited for next year and continue a better program.”

The cheer team went first during the NAIA Championship of the 2022-2023 season with a score of 95.51 points. This year, the Bees outscored themselves setting an all-time high record with an overall score of 97.27 points, making it an all-time high and the first time any team has ever won back-to-back competitions.

Senior Eliza Dzurisin says, “Keeping such a high level of performance for two years took more than just a few weeks. Having a training program, morning workouts on Mondays, and Wednesdays beginning in August is crucial for us to stay in form.”

During this year’s College Classic, the cheer team also won the Large Coed National Championship. Team members Ava Arnold, Graysen Gerlinger, Ryan Russo, and Savannah Schumacher won the Group Stunt National Championship. Schumacher and Will Smith took second in the Partner Stunt competition while Jesse Lopez and Izzy Kotalik placed third.

“Not only do they compete, but throughout the fall we are also supporting other teams at SAU and other campus events. It was an incredible year, but I will say it does not come just by having a great coach, or a great leader, or two phenomenal athletes, it truly takes a village. Thank you to everyone who has supported us as a community,” said Coach Danelle Langeneckert. 

The SAU dance team won their fourth NAIA Competitive Dance Championship in the eight-year history of the event, making it also back-to-back championships. 

The program scored an overall total of 92.49 points, marking the second-highest score in championship history.

For Junior Grace Sheldon, “Being back-to-back shows us all the hard work we put in this sport and the end of the season shows off all the effort and tears we put into it.” She added, “Having a strong connection is the best thing you can do to succeed. I can’t make it through without having the teammates that I have and the work ethic they have put into this team.”

After winning the NAIA Team Performance and NAIA Hip Hop categories, the Dancing Bees added the 2024 Team Performance Battle during the Battle and Tumble Rumble Championships. 

Coach Langeneckert remarked, “The phrase blood sweat, and tears never made sense until now, there’s sweat no doubt, tears almost all the time.” 

The program will be facing the possibility of becoming a third double back-to-back championship by winning the competitions during the 2024-2025 season and with some captains graduating, the teams are looking forward to the next season.

Sophomore Antwyon Lowery has his goals set already, “My biggest goal was to try and catch up with the seniors we lost, regarding my technique and leadership, and I plan to do that again.”

On the other hand, for those leaving like senior Izzy Kotalik, “Ending my senior career on back-to-back championships is the best an athlete could ask for.”

We wish the best of luck in the next chapter of their lives to those retiring and for those who are staying, the best of luck in future competitions!

Hear from our spirit squads in their episode of Inside SAU Athletics here.