MEQUON, Wis. – In the bid for the program’s first-ever CIT championship, the Concordia University, Nebraska Competitive Cheer squad earned a runner-up place finish at the 2024 Concordia Invitational Tournament. The Bulldogs went up against the Concordias of Ann Arbor, Chicago and Wisconsin in an event hosted by Concordia University Wisconsin on Saturday (Jan. 27) morning in Mequon. CUNE recorded a score of 60.52 as it placed behind only Concordia of Ann Arbor (67.30). The max score for the CIT competition is 90.
This marked the second year in a row that the Bulldogs finished second to CUAA at CIT. This was the first CIT for Emilie Ashenbach as head coach of CUNE Cheer.
“I am extremely proud of our Bulldogs,” Ashenbach said. “They rocked both the game day cheer and competitive routine. It’s a real testament to how hard they have been working and their dedication to teamwork. Although our scores did not reflect our performance, we are using that as fuel to motivate us as we look to our next competition on Feb. 9.”
2024 CIT Cheer Results (max score of 90):
1. CUAA – 67.30
2. CUNE – 60.52
3. CUC – 56.20
4. CUW – 48.83
The Bulldogs trotted 11 team members onto the mat at CUW (competition roster below). CUNE took the floor first while kicking off the competition. The Bulldogs modified their routine as part of an event that does not count towards their official NAIA scoring average. Both CUC and CUW compete at the NCAA Division III level. This was the fifth time in the history of CIT that the event has included cheer and dance competitions.
CIT competition roster:
· LaCole Anno (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Bri Hoyle (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Kaylnn Jeardoe (Beatrice, Neb.)
· Lexi Mack (Wilber, Neb.)
· Ara Maxwell (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Tori Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Bre Romero (Elmwood, Neb.)
· Lauryn Stanley (Big Spring, Neb.)
· Mya Stover (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
Next up for the Bulldogs will be the York Invitational featuring both cheer and dance on Feb. 9. That event will serve as a precursor to Concordia Dance and Cheer Duals on Feb. 10. The event on Feb. 10 will serve as the final home competition of the 2024 season.