Dance Takes Home Trio of Titles, Cheer Shines in USA Collegiate Championships

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all teams at OUAZ, but none more maybe than the Cheer and Dance teams. The groups have only been able to perform at one OUAZ event this season, and had to wait nearly a full calendar year to do so. Despite all of the challenges and different situations, the Cheer and Dance groups were able to show off their hard work in practice, taking home some national championship hardware in the process.

After entering multiple performances and routines virtually to the 2021 USA Collegiate Championships, the Spirit learned Tuesday afternoon that the Dance team won the national championships for the Fight Song, Band Chant and Performance Routines divisions. The Dance team placed sixth at the same event last season, using this season to improve on what was a solid showing the year previous.

The protocols and person limits in place did not allow for either the Cheer or Dance teams to be at events before the football game March 6. This left seniors like Maggie Lewis wondering if they would even be able to perform or compete, but it finally feels that all of the work put in meant something.

"I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to experience a national win with such an amazing group of people," Lewis said. "I could not have asked for a better end to my senior year."
The Cheer team took home second place in the same event last year, and were excellent once again. A team that had a lot of turnover from just 365 days ago came together to place second in the Fight Song division.

"I cannot put into words how amazing we all feel," freshman cheerleader Jacob Flores said. "It has been such a long year. We have been through so much adversity so it was amazing to see that all of our hard work had paid off."

More events, both at OUAZ and competitions, are on the horizon for the Cheer and Dance teams. It provides more opportunities to finally perform for the fans and for championships, but these honors are particularly enjoyable after the craziness that proceeded them.

"I am beyond proud of our athletes and staff for getting it done during an insanely turbulent season filled with more obstacles and craziness than anyone can describe," Cheer and Dance head coach Kari Kratchman said. "We are blessed and overwhelmed with these championships. We embraced the challenges and continued to work each day. I love my teams and their perseverance to strive for success in such a difficult season."

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Players Mentioned

Maggie Lewis: 5' 4"; Senior

Jacob Flores: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Maggie Lewis
: 5' 4"; Senior

Jacob Flores
: 5' 5"; Freshman