Bulldogs finish fourth at GPAC Cheer Championships

By Jacob Knabel on Feb. 27, 2021 in Cheer

GPAC/Regional Qualifier Results

CRETE, Neb. – In highly anticipated championship action, the Concordia University Cheer team displayed a continuation of the improvement that has characterized the 2021 competition season. When the scores came in, the Bulldogs placed fourth in the GPAC Cheer Championships/NAIA Northwest Group Qualifier. The event included all seven GPAC institutions that sponsor the sport of cheer.

Head Coach Mandi Maser’s Bulldogs posted scores of 69.63 in the preliminary round and 74.03 in the second and final round of the competition. With an aggregate score of 72.93 (75 percent finals/25 percent prelims), Concordia edged in front of fifth-place Northwestern, a foe it trailed after the prelims.

“We have a really tough conference,” Maser said. “Six of the seven teams hit their routines really, really well both times. It was a high level of competition. We came out of the gate well for finals and increased our score. I’m really proud of the effort and the perseverance the kids showed coming back for the second routine. It was the most competitive season so far for Concordia Cheer. I’m proud of how we’ve improved and what we’re building towards in the future.”

As evidenced by their lack of any deductions in the finals, the Bulldogs put together a clean performance. Concordia earned high marks for its basket tosses and jumps while posting solid scores across the board.

The GPAC competition team for the Bulldogs included:

·        Kaci Hohenthaner (Council Bluffs, Iowa)

·        Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)

·        Danielle Larsen (Omaha, Neb.)

·        Kenna Millhouse (Twin Bridges, Mont.)

·        Josie O’Laughlin (Winona, Minn.)

·        Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)

·        Cora Rhode (Fort Morgan, Colo.)

·        Isabel Sermeno (Seward, Neb.)

·        Kathryn Taylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

·        Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)

The 2020 GPAC Championships and regional qualifiers were separated on different dates. Concordia turned in a cheer score of 54.48 at the 2020 conference championships while placing sixth out of seven GPAC teams.

The dance portion of the GPAC Championships was held on Friday and saw the Bulldogs place fourth in the GPAC and fifth in the region. The fifth annual Cheer and Dance National Championship is slated to take place March 12-13 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

Concordia Cheer 2021 Results

1/13 at Mount Marty – W, 59.2 to 52.5

1/16 vs. Morningside – W, 67.75 to 67.25

1/23 at Friends Day of Duals – 3 of 7 (153.20 combined score in two performances)

2/6 Concordia Invite – 2 of 6 (66.18)

2/10 Triangular vs. Hastings/Peru State – 2 of 3 (66.5)

2/20 vs. Doane – W, 69.60 to 66.30

2/27 GPAC Championships/NAIA Northwest Qualifier – 4th