SEWARD, Neb. – It was a close race between Concordia University Nebraska and Concordia University Ann Arbor for the title of 2023 Concordia Invitational Tournament cheer champion. Ultimately, CUAA squeaked by CUNE with a score of 79.12 compared to 79.04 for the Bulldogs. After the cancellation of CIT in both 2021 and 2022, the event returned to Friedrich Arena this weekend (Jan. 27-28). CUNE was met in Seward by the Concordias of Ann Arbor, Chicago and Wisconsin.
2023 CIT Cheer Scores
NOTE – The NAIA scoring rubric is not applicable to CIT. The maximum points possible for the CIT cheer competition was 90.
CUAA – 79.12
CUNE – 79.04
CUC – 64.5
CUW – 45.5
This marked the fourth year that CIT has included cheer and dance competitions. Head Coach Mandi Maser’s Bulldog cheer team came the closest it’s ever been to hoisting the CIT trophy.
“We’re super proud that it turned out to be a wonderful event,” Maser said. “Cheer and dance came out and represented Concordia Nebraska well. We had a great crowd and a lot of energy this morning. We were only .08 away from getting that trophy in cheer. I’m really proud of them. They performed the best that they have this season and executed their skills really well. We’ve got great momentum going into the competition next week.”
The competing Concordias will have to wait at least another year to attempt to wrestle the trophy away from the CUAA Cardinals. Ann Arbor has taken the CIT cheer title in all four years the competition has been held. The Bulldogs gave them their best shot this season while putting a group of 11 (see below) on the mat that has already broken the program record for highest single competition score. For most CUNE athletes, CIT was a completely new experience.
Concordia competition roster
· LaCole Anno (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Taylor Larsen (Ravenna, Neb.)
· Lexi Mack (Wilber, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Bre Romero (Elmwood, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Lauryn Stanley (Big Spring, Neb.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
· Katie Wilson (Cozad, Neb.)
All-time CIT cheer champions
2023 – CUAA
2020 – CUAA
2019 – CUAA
2018 – CUAA
2023 Competition Scores
1/19 – 77.2 (dual vs. Morningside)
1/25 – 74.25 (dual vs. Hastings)
Coming up next is the Doane University Dance & Cheer Invite next Friday (Feb. 3). Doane’s Haddix Center will also be the site of the GPAC Championships later in February. Also on the horizon is the Concordia Duals on Feb. 11.