2021-22 Cheer Schedule/Results
| Date | Event/Opponent | Location | Result |
| Jan. 19 | Morningside University/Peru State College Triangular | Seward, Neb. (PE Gym) | 1st (71.425) |
| Jan. 26 | Hastings College/Peru State College Triangular | Seward, Neb. (PE Gym) | 1st (68.25) |
| Jan. 27 | Doane University | Crete, Neb. | W, 74.35 - 72.15 |
| Jan. 28 | Midland Invitational | Fremont, Neb. | 2nd / 7 (72.90) |
| Jan. 29 | CIT - Cheer & Dance Competition *CANCELED* | Seward, Neb. (Friedrich) | |
| Feb. 4-5 | Bethel College Thresher Invite | North Newton, Kan. | 5th / 11 (73.2) |
| Feb. 11 | York College Cheer & Dance Invitational | York, Neb. | 3rd / 10 (75.9) |
| Feb. 19: Concordia Cheer & Dance Duals | |||
| Feb. 19 | Dual vs. Dickinson State University (N.D.) | Seward, Neb. (Friedrich) | L, 75.80 - 88.15 |
| Feb. 19 | Dual vs. Waldorf University (Iowa) | Seward, Neb. (Friedrich) | W, 74.55 - 43.40 |
| Feb. 26 | GPAC Cheer Championships | Crete, Neb. | 4th (72.04) |
2021-22 Roster
| Name | Year | Hometown | Previous School |
| Jaelyn Adler | Fr. | Wray, Colo. | Wray HS |
| James Araya | So. | The Woodlands, Texas | The John Cooper School |
| Brooke Duerr | Jr. | Warren, Mich. | Lutheran HS Northwest |
| Kaitlyn Foley | Fr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Northeast HS |
| Nathalie Fortenberry | Fr. | Bend, Ore. | Trinity Lutheran School |
| Emma Gaffney | Jr. | Essex, Iowa | Shenandoah HS |
| Taryn Hamill | Fr. | Omaha, Neb. | Concordia Senior HS |
| Brenden Ingram | Jr. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney HS / Univ. of Nebraska-Kearney |
| Kayla Johnson | Fr. | Wichita, Kan. | Trinity Academy |
| Danielle Larsen | Jr. | Omaha, Neb. | Omaha Christian Academy |
| Alexis Mack | Fr. | Wilber, Neb. | Wilber-Clatonia HS |
| Josie O'Laughlin | Jr. | Winona, Minn. | Hope Lutheran HS |
| Victoria Perry | Fr. | Shelby, Neb. | Shelby-Rising HS |
| Sabrina Reed | So. | Crete, Neb. | Crete HS |
| Liv Rogers | Fr. | Ashland, Neb. | Ashland-Greenwood HS |
| Breanna Romero | Fr. | Elmwood, Neb. | Elmwood-Murdock Public School |
| Tyler Scholz | Fr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Lutheran HS |
| Elizabeth Schultz | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward HS |
| Isabel Sermeno | Jr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward HS |
| Naomy Snider | Jr. | McCool Junction, Neb. | McCool Junction HS |
| Gabriella Stein | Fr. | Denton, Texas | Prosper HS |
| Kathryn Taylor | So. | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Charter Prep HS |
| Shelby Timmerman | Fr. | Clatonia, Neb. | Wilber-Clatonia HS |
| Alexis Urban | Fr. | Sioux City, Iowa | Siouxland Christian HS |
STAFF
Mandi Maser, Head Coach (6th Year)
Emilie Aschenbach, Assistant Coach
Season Preview: 2022 Concordia Competitive Cheer
Jan. 13, 2022
Head Coach: Mandi Maser (6th year); 2020 GPAC Cheer Coach of the Year
2021 GPAC Finishes: Cheer 4th/7 | Dance 4th/9
2021 NAIA Northwest Finishes: Cheer 4th/7 | Dance 5th/10
Outlook
A significant leap forward in 2021 has Concordia University Cheer brimming with confidence heading into a new competition season. Members of the team arrived on campus a week prior to the start of the second semester while grinding through an intensive stretch of two-a-day practices. The Bulldogs continue to increase the difficulty of their routines as Head Coach Mandi Maser enters her sixth season leading the program.
Some highlights from last season included three conference dual wins, a second-place claim at Concordia’s own invite and a fourth-place finish at the conference championships. All the while, the competition regionally and nationally keeps getting stronger.
“We had to limit who was on the mat and make some hard choices,” Maser said regarding the program’s growth. “We had a whole lot of kids who made it easier by coming in and wanting to compete and wanting to excel. They all stepped up and achieved at a much higher level than they thought they would and surprised themselves. They were able to improve their scores even if there was a bobble here or there or a tough sequence. You could tell our kids wanted it more than the ones they competed against.”
The program welcomes back seven of the 10 athletes who competed at the 2021 GPAC Championships/NAIA Northwest Qualifier. One of three men on the roster, Kearney, Neb., native Brenden Ingram has emerged as an important leader and has progressed by leaps and bounds after entering college without competitive cheer experience. Maser also has high praise for the likes of Kathryn Taylor and Shelby Timmerman. Other holdovers who competed at the regional qualifier include Danielle Larsen, Josie O’Laughlin, Sabrina Reed and Isabel Sermeno.
Now in his fourth year in the program, Ingram understands what it has taken to raise the competitive level of the entire program. Three years ago, Ingram was part of a team that often struggled on the scoresheet. The fortunes have been reversed through the work of Maser and through increased commitment and athleticism on the roster.
Said Ingram, “Starting our freshman year we had only one or two people who could effectively tumble, which hurts your overall score. Being able to build that has helped a lot. We’ve also built in more practices and more strength and conditioning. We’ve really taken a step up in accountability as well as far as making sure each of us can hit our individual things. Freshman year we used to struggle with things such as extensions, pop offs and basic stuff. We’ve really grown and continued to progress. We have a lot of people step up and be very flexible on the mat.”
Maser, named the 2020 GPAC Cheer Coach of the Year, has overseen a program beginning to hit its stride. She also now has the benefit of full-time assistant Emilie Aschenbach, a two-time cheer All-American during her career at Midland. The program has never been in a better position to succeed.
“We have impressive athletes who perform different roles,” Maser said. “Shelby Timmerman is a sophomore who excels in all areas. She tumbles, she’s a great jumper and she’s a solid base and is stronger than you could ever imagine. When you look at her you have no idea how strong she is. Brenden came in not knowing anything about cheer. He’s taken tumbling and has added strength and improved his skill level so much. Tyler Scholz does an excellent job of jumping in – he had never done it before. Our flyer that is one of the most trusting people on the planet is Kathryn Taylor. She’s impressive in everything she does.”
Early indications have been positive during the preseason. Added Ingram, “I’m looking forward to watching our routine develop. Coach is big on always starting tame with something we can be consistent with, something we can hit and as we progress throughout the season, we can add things and change things – make things better. We’ve already made a couple of changes and they have all been hitting. It’s exciting to see that growth and progression.”
The season will officially kick off on Jan. 19 when the Bulldogs will host Morningside and Peru State College as part of a triangular. The action is slated to begin following the women’s basketball game that night (tipoff at 6 p.m.) and take place inside the PE Center Gym. Concordia also looks forward to hosting its day of duals on Feb. 19 and competing at the GPAC/regional qualifier on Feb. 25-26.
Bulldogs win triangular in season's first competition
Jan. 20, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – It was an encouraging start to the competition season for Concordia University Cheer, which welcomed Morningside University and Peru State College to town for a triangular on Wednesday (Jan. 19). The Bulldogs took first place while posting a solid score of 71.425 in competition that was held inside the PE Center Gym. Concordia managed to win decisively, beating out a conference foe that had placed above it at last season’s GPAC Championships.
Triangular Scores
1. Concordia – 71.425
2. Morningside – 52.35
3. Peru State – 44.45
This marks the sixth season that the Bulldog Cheer and Dance teams have been led by Mandi Maser. The two programs are looking for the type of improvement they displayed last winter. The cheer squad returns a large number of experienced veterans, including one of the team’s most prominent leaders in Brenden Ingram.
“Tonight we got the jitters out,” Maser said. “First competition of the season is out of the way and now we keep the momentum going to build on the routines we performed. The cheer team had a great first competition. They came out with a lot of confidence and energy and show a ton of potential for a successful season. We had some stunts not hit but they never gave up. They want to win, and I think the fans could see that tonight. We are looking forward increases scores next week and continuing to build on a great start to the season.”
The Concordia competition team on Wednesday included the following student-athletes:
· Brooke Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Liv Rogers (Ashland, Neb.)
· Breanna Romero (Elmwood, Neb.)
· Tyler Scholz (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Kathryn Taylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
The season will continue next Wednesday (Jan. 26) when the Bulldogs will once again take the mat inside the PE Center Gym in between basketball games (approximately 7:30 p.m. CT). Concordia will host Hastings and Peru State College as part of another triangular. The Bulldogs are slated to be in action three-straight days from Jan. 26-28.
Bulldogs win second-straight home triangular
Jan. 26, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – The season has begun impressively for Concordia University Cheer, which hosted both Hastings and Peru State College on Wednesday (Jan. 26) night as part of a basketball doubleheader. In action that took place inside the PE Center Gym, the Bulldogs earned a score of 68.25 and held off the Broncos and Bobcats for first place. Concordia earned especially high marks for its basket tosses, jumps and for the overall difficulty of the routine.
Triangular Scores
1. Concordia – 68.25
2. Hastings – 61.30
3. Peru State – 49.75
Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad also took first place a week earlier when it hosted Morningside and Peru State. The team score this Wednesday was slightly lower than last week’s figure of 71.425.
Said Maser, “We were happy with the cheer team tonight. We did have to alter the routine due to injury and therefore took some low scores on the overall performance, but the team kept going. Pushing through the adversity and challenges is what competition is all about and these athletes have it in them to keep getting better.”
Freshman Gabi Stein made her first competition appearance on Wednesday. The remainder of the competition team was similar to a week ago. The Bulldogs will lean upon the leadership of Brenden Ingram throughout the season.
The Concordia competition team on Wednesday included the following student-athletes:
· Brooke Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Liv Rogers (Ashland, Neb.)
· Tyler Scholz (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Gabi Stein (Prosper, Texas)
· Kathryn Taylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
An active three-day stretch will continue on Thursday when the Bulldogs will be at Doane for a 7 p.m. CT dual. Concordia will also be in action on Friday at the Midland Invitational, which is slated to get underway at 7 p.m. Both competitions were added to the schedule to make up for the cancellation of the Concordia Invitational Tournament that was set to run this weekend.
Strong start continues with win at Doane, runner-up finish at Midland
Jan. 28, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University Cheer continues to compete at a high level while in the second week of its 2022 season. After winning a home triangular on Wednesday, the Bulldogs defeated Doane in a dual in Crete on Thursday and then placed second out of a seven-team field at Friday’s Midland Invitational in Fremont. Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad earned scores of 74.35 at Doane and then 72.90 at Midland.
Concordia at Doane scores (Jan. 27)
1. Concordia – 74.35
2. Doane – 72.15
Midland Invite (Jan. 28)
2nd place / 7 teams (72.90)
The impressive start to the campaign also included a first-place claim in the triangular Concordia hosted on Jan. 19. The Bulldogs have posted scores of 68.25 or better in each of their four competitions in 2022. Oklahoma City native Kathryn Taylor has caught the eye of Maser.
Said Maser of Thursday’s outing, “We had a great competition at Doane. The cheerleaders went first – they really wanted to show how much they have grown as a team. They did a great job performing with a ton of energy and hit their skills. Kathryn Taylor, our flyer, was a big standout and did a great job. I’m excited for the increase in score and looking forward to the next competition.”
Added Maser regarding the Midland Invite, “Tonight we had a really tough competition. However, our athletes were resilient, prepared and competed well. The cheerleaders did a great job. They had high energy, confidence and continue to gain momentum towards the competitive edge we know is in them.”
The Concordia competition team on Thursday and Friday included the following student-athletes:
· Brooke Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Liv Rogers (Ashland, Neb.)
· Tyler Scholz (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Gabi Stein (Prosper, Texas)
· Kathryn Taylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
Next up will be the Bethel College Thresher Invite scheduled for Feb. 4-5 in North Newton, Kan. About the same time a year ago, Maser traveled the cheer and dance teams to Friends University in Wichita, Kan., for a unique duals competition.
Timmerman shines as Bulldogs place fifth at Bethel Invite
Feb. 5, 2022
NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – In a largescale, two-day event, the Concordia University Competitive Cheer team produced its highest score yet this season. Ultimately, the Bulldogs placed fifth out of 11 teams at the Bethel College Thresher Invite that was contested in North Newton, Kan., Friday and Saturday (Feb. 4-5). Each of the 11 teams were given the opportunity to compete three separate times, including once on Friday and twice on Saturday. Place finishes were awarded based on each squad’s highest score on Saturday.
Concordia’s Thresher Invite Scores
Prelims – 76.65
Day 2, Rd 1 – 72.97
Day 2, Rd 2 – 73.2
Clatonia, Neb., native Shelby Timmerman played a starring role for Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad. Timmerman and company achieved a score of 76.65 in Friday’s preliminary round. That total is a season high for a team that has been the best so far in the young program’s history. The event allowed the Bulldogs to see some of the nation’s top competition. St. Ambrose University (Iowa) took first place with a score of 90.76 while Oklahoma City University placed second with a score of 89.36.
The Bulldogs defeated the likes of the University of Saint Mary (Kan.), Friends University (Kan.), Kansas Wesleyan University, Williams Baptist University (Ark.), McPherson College (Kan.) and Baker University (Kan.).
Said Maser, “The cheer team impressed us a lot this weekend. They received their highest score thus far for the season and kept their confidence high while competing against teams that consistently compete at the national level each season. This team has a ton of potential and is committed to making this season the best yet for Concordia Competitive Cheer.”
The Concordia competition team on Friday and Saturday included the following student-athletes:
· Brooke Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Liv Rogers (Ashland, Neb.)
· Tyler Scholz (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Gabi Stein (Prosper, Texas)
· Kathryn Taylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
Next up on the schedule for the Concordia Cheer and Dance teams will be the York College Invitational next Friday (Feb. 11). The event is slated to get underway at 5 p.m. CT from York, Neb. Maser and the Bulldogs will also soon be preparing to host the Concordia Cheer & Dance Duals on Feb. 19.
Ingram leads way for third-place claim at York Invite
Feb. 11, 2022
YORK, Neb. – While competing in its sixth competition this season, the Concordia University Competitive Cheer team turned in its second best score of 2022. Led by Brenden Ingram, the Bulldogs earned a score of 75.9 and placed third out of 10 teams at the York College Invitational on Friday (Feb. 11). The event was made up of squad from the Midwest region and included GPAC rivals such as Dordt, Hastings and Mount Marty.
York Invite Results
3rd place out of 10 teams (75.9)
Friday’s score of 75.9 was second only to last week’s 76.65 turned in at the Bethel Thresher Invite for the highest total not only this season, but in the history of the program. Concordia just barely finished behind Hastings (76.0) for second place at the York Invite. Oklahoma City University took first place with a score of 87.68.
Said Head Coach Mandi Maser, “Tonight we had a good competition at York. The cheer team competed really well and with a ton of confidence! We had zero deductions for the second time this season and added in some changes to the routine that contributed to a great performance! Brenden Ingram was a big standout for us tonight! We are excited to redeem that one-tenth of a point that separated us from runner up next week at the Concordia Cheer Duals.”
The Concordia competition team on Friday included the following student-athletes:
· Brooke Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Liv Rogers (Ashland, Neb.)
· Bre Romero (Elmwood, Neb.)
· Tyler Scholz (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Kathryn Taylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
Competition scores in 2022
Jan. 19 – 71.425
Jan. 26 – 68.25
Jan. 27 – 74.35
Jan. 28 – 72.90
Feb. 4-5 – 76.65 | 72.97 | 73.2
Feb. 11 – 75.9
The Concordia University Competitive Cheer and Dance teams will now prepare to host their own event – the Concordia University Duals on Saturday, Feb. 19. The competition is set to begin at 10 a.m. CT from Friedrich Arena. At last season’s Concordia Cheer & Dance Invitational, the Bulldogs placed second in both the cheer and dance competitions.
Preview: 2022 Concordia Cheer Duals
Feb. 15, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – After hosting invitationals for each of the previous three seasons, the Concordia University Cheer and Dance programs will host their first-ever largescale dual competition when action gets underway on Saturday. The 2022 Concordia Cheer & Dance Duals will feature six cheer teams and five dance squads, all from NAIA institutions. Head Coach Mandi Maser’s programs will also celebrate six seniors at the conclusion of the competition.
Specific dual pairings can be viewed via the event program linked below. The Bulldogs will begin round one by going up against Dickinson State University (N.D.) in cheer and Missouri Baptist University in dance.
Event Info
Saturday, Feb. 19 – Concordia Cheer & Dance Duals
10 a.m. CT | Friedrich Arena | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network (pay-per-view)
Event Program (PDF)
Competing Teams
College of Saint Mary (dance only)
Concordia University
Dickinson State University (N.D.) (cheer only)
Doane University
Hastings College
Missouri Baptist University
Waldorf University (Iowa) (cheer only)
Below are the season results Maser’s squads have turned in so far this 2022 competition season. Both Concordia teams have been in action at six separate events. Most recently, the Bulldogs placed third in cheer and fifth in dance at the York College Invitational held last week. Previous home appearances came in conjunction with basketball games on Jan. 19 and 26. The standouts individually have included the likes of Brenden Ingram and Shelby Timmerman in cheer and Katie Anderson and Haleigh Fitzsimmons in dance.
2022 Cheer Results
1/19 – Morningside/Peru State Triangular – 1st (71.425)
1/26 – Hastings/Peru State Triangular – 1st (68.25)
1/27 – Dual at Doane – W (74.35)
1/28 – Midland Invite – 2nd/7 (72.90)
2/4-5 – Bethel Invite – 5th/11 (73.2)
2/11 – York Invite – 3rd/10 (75.9)
2022 Dance Results
1/19 – Dual vs. Morningside – L (63.85)
1/26 – Hastings/Peru State Triangular – 2nd (63.55)
1/27 – Doane/College of Saint Mary Triangular – 2nd (69.9)
1/28 – Midland Invite – 5th/6 (69.73)
2/4-5 – Bethel Invite – 6th/12 (61.7)
2/11 – York Invite – 5th/9 (70.47)
The following seniors will be recognized on Saturday:
· BrookeAnn Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Danielle Larsen (Omaha, Neb.)
· Haleigh Fitzsimmons (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Josie Oberdieck (Winona, Minn.)
· Isabel Sermeno (Seward, Neb.)
· Naomy Snider (McCool Junction, Neb.)
The Concordia Cheer & Dance Duals will lead into next week’s GPAC Championships (NAIA Regional Dance Qualifier) hosted by Doane. As part of the championship meet, dance will compete on Feb. 25 followed by cheer on Feb. 26. For teams that earn bids to nationals, the season will continue with the NAIA Cheer & Dance National Championships in Ypsilanti, Mich., on March 11-12.
Bulldogs defeat Waldorf, fall to Dickinson State as part of Concordia Duals
Feb. 19, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Competitive Cheer and Dance programs welcomed six cheer and five dance teams to the 2022 Concordia Cheer & Dance Duals hosted inside Friedrich Arena on Saturday (Feb. 19). Each of the squads went through two rounds of performances. In its two duals, Bulldog Cheer fell to Dickinson State University (N.D.) before picking up a win over Waldorf. Head Coach Mandi Maser’s team posted scores of 75.80 and 74.55 on the day.
On the cheer side, the event also featured Doane, Hastings and Missouri Baptist University. The top three place finishers in terms of overall combined scoring were Dickinson State (174.10), Missouri Baptist (172.00) and Doane (153.95). Concordia’s two scores on Saturday were not far off the school record of 76.65 that it recorded two weeks earlier at the Bethel College Invite.
Said Maser, “The cheer team has grown so much in the past few weeks and continues to impress us with their drive to succeed and work hard. We split the competition today with a 1-1 and have a lot of confidence heading into the GPAC Championship next weekend. Kaitlyn Foley did an awesome job for us today! She stepped into some new positions and made us proud!”
The Concordia competition team on Saturday included the following student-athletes:
· Jaelyn Adler (Wray, Colo.)
· Brooke Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Liv Rogers (Ashland, Neb.)
· Bre Romero (Elmwood, Neb.)
· Tyler Scholz (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
Competition scores in 2022
Jan. 19 – 71.425
Jan. 26 – 68.25
Jan. 27 – 74.35
Jan. 28 – 72.90
Feb. 4-5 – 76.65 | 72.97 | 73.2
Feb. 11 – 75.9
Feb. 19 – 75.80 | 74.55
Following the competitions, the Bulldogs recognized six cheer/dance seniors: BrookeAnne Duerr, Danielle Larsen, Haleigh Fitzsimmons, Josie Oberdieck, Isabel Sermeno and Naomy Snider.
Next up on the schedule are the 2022 GPAC Cheer Championships slated for next Saturday (Feb. 26). The event will be hosted by Doane and is set to begin at 10 a.m. CT. Last season, the Bulldogs placed fourth in the GPAC.
Competition Info: 2022 GPAC Cheer Championship
Feb. 22, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – It’s championship week for the Concordia University Competitive Cheer and Dance teams. The 2022 GPAC Championship competition (also a group qualifier for dance) will unfold on Friday for dance and on Saturday for cheer. Doane will serve as the host once again with action taking place inside the Haddix Center. Additional details can be found below.
2022 GPAC Cheer Championship
Saturday, Feb. 26 | 10 a.m. | Haddix Center (Doane campus)
Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/user/doaneathletics/live2
Event Schedule
-Performance times:
10:00 a.m. – Concordia
10:11 a.m. – Hastings
10:22 a.m. – Northwestern
10:33 a.m. – Midland
10:44 a.m. – Mount Marty
10:55 a.m. – Doane
11:06 a.m. – Morningside
11:17 a.m. – Dordt
12:34 p.m. – finals begin (order based on preliminary scores)
2:35 p.m. – NAIA All-American auditions
3:00 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
Leading up to the championship competition, Head Coach Mandi Maser’s cheer squad has competed in seven separate events (10 total performances). Led by the likes of Brenden Ingram and Shelby Timmerman, the Bulldogs posted the highest score in program history when they achieved a 76.65 as part of the Bethel College Invite on Feb. 4. According to the NAIA’s official scoring database, Concordia currently ranks 24th nationally with an average score of 73.53. Among GPAC teams, only Midland (87.29) and Doane (75.49) own a higher season scoring average. The 10 total performances by the Bulldogs are the most of any dance team in the nation.
Competition scores in 2022
Jan. 19 – 71.425
Jan. 26 – 68.25
Jan. 27 – 74.35
Jan. 28 – 72.90
Feb. 4-5 – 76.65 | 72.97 | 73.2
Feb. 11 – 75.9
Feb. 19 – 75.80 | 74.55
At the 2021 GPAC Championship, the Bulldogs placed fourth with an average score of 72.93, putting them behind Midland, Hastings and Morningside. A score in the mid-70s would likely give Concordia a chance at finishing as high as second place.
For those who qualify, the 2022 season will continue at the sixth annual Competitive Cheer and Dance National Championship, scheduled for March 11-12 in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Bulldogs conclude record breaking season with fourth place GPAC finish
Feb. 26, 2022
CRETE, Neb. – Concordia University Competitive Cheer has proven throughout this season that it is a program on the rise. The Bulldogs produced two more scores in the 70s on Saturday (Feb. 26) while placing fourth at the 2022 GPAC Cheer Championship in Crete, Neb. The Bulldogs finished with a total score of 72.04 while competing in a championship that included all eight GPAC institutions that sponsor competitive cheer. Shelby Timmerman led the way by becoming the first athlete in program history to earn all-conference accolades.
Head Coach Mandi Maser’s program will spend the offseason working on catching the GPAC’s top three place finishers: Midland (86.73), Doane (85.42) and Hastings (76.05). Ultimately, Concordia has a lot to feel good about regarding a season that saw the program post its highest ever score.
Said Maser, “The Bulldog Cheerleaders did awesome today! We made some adjustments to our routine, had a high level of difficulty and hit the skills with a ton of energy and excellent overall execution. We were really excited to have Shelby Timmerman be awarded all-conference honors – the first to receive this in Concordia Competitive Cheer history! Shelby has consistently done an amazing job this season and we are proud of her being recognized by the GPAC! Every athlete, on the mat and off, contributed to our successful competition and met the challenges head on. Other standouts were Brenden Ingram, Kaitlyn Foley and Sabrina Reed. This team has made huge improvements every day this season and represented Concordia very well.”
The Concordia competition team on Saturday included the following student-athletes:
· Jaelyn Adler (Wray, Colo.)
· Brooke Duerr (Warren, Mich.)
· Kaitlyn Foley (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Brenden Ingram (Kearney, Neb.)
· Victoria Perry (Shelby, Neb.)
· Sabrina Reed (Crete, Neb.)
· Liv Rogers (Ashland, Neb.)
· Bre Romero (Elmwood, Neb.)
· Tyler Scholz (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Elizabeth Schultz (Seward, Neb.)
· Shelby Timmerman (Clatonia, Neb.)
Below is the complete list of scores the Bulldogs have achieved in 2022. As part of the campaign, Concordia hosted two home competitions that coincided with basketball games and put on the Concordia Cheer & Dance Duals. The highest score in program history was the 76.65 put forth at the Bethel College Invite on Feb. 4. The Bulldogs also recorded two other scores of better than 75.0.
Competition scores in 2022
Jan. 19 – 71.425
Jan. 26 – 68.25
Jan. 27 – 74.35
Jan. 28 – 72.90
Feb. 4-5 – 76.65 | 72.97 | 73.2
Feb. 11 – 75.9
Feb. 19 – 75.80 | 74.55
Feb. 26 – 70.82 | 72.45
The NAIA will host its fifth annual Cheer and Dance National Championship in Ypsilanti, Mich., on March 11-12. Qualifiers will be announced next week.
Timmerman makes history with All-GPAC recognition
Mar. 1, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Shelby Timmerman has made history. The Clatonia, Neb., native has become the first GPAC All-Conference award winner in the history of Concordia University Competitive Cheer. Timmerman was one of 10 cheer athletes named to the all-conference team announced by the GPAC on Tuesday (March 1).
Timmerman served as a major reason why the Bulldogs achieved their highest score in program history in 2022 and placed fourth at the GPAC Cheer Championship. Tweeted Timmerman following the championship, “So exciting! Thank you to all my teammates for supporting and pushing me this season.”
Said Head Coach Mandi Maser, the 2020 GPAC Cheer Coach of the Year, “We were really excited to have Shelby Timmerman be awarded all-conference honors – the first to receive this in Concordia Competitive Cheer history! Shelby has consistently done an amazing job this season and we are proud of her being recognized by the GPAC.”
Some highlights this season for Timmerman and the cheer team were place finishes of second at the Midland Invitational and third at the York College Invitational. The program record score of 76.65 came at the Bethel College Invite in early February. Throughout the 2022 season, the Bulldogs competed at eight events and in 12 total performances.
Historic achievement just a start for stronger-than-you-can-believe Timmerman
Mar. 23, 2022
She’s a rising star for a Bulldog team on the rise. No, she doesn’t play basketball. Or volleyball. Or softball. Wilber-Clatonia High School alum Shelby Timmerman is a versatile and skilled athlete who happens to be one of the top competitive cheer performers in the GPAC. She’s reached that level after just two seasons of collegiate cheer. Naturally, there’s plenty of reason to believe the best is yet to come.
Timmerman is exactly the type of student-athlete Head Coach Mandi Maser has been looking for while pushing a program forward that is still young in terms of its status as an official varsity sport. A deeper look lends insight into why Timmerman’s presence has coincided with a major improvement in the Concordia Cheer program as a whole.
Says Maser, “I knew she was a hard worker and wanted to make her mark during her time here at Concordia. Shelby is a determined, motivated competitor that helps to lead our team. She works hard in the weight room, does additional private tumbling lessons during the offseason and is always willing to come in and work with teammates during open gym opportunities. She is in communication with us coaches consistently wanting to do more, try harder skills and introduce new ideas for pyramids and stunting combinations.”
On March 1, Timmerman made history when she became the first Bulldog in the program’s history to earn all-conference accolades. The recognition came out of an individual performance at the conference championships that required Timmerman to execute a series of stunts while under the microscope of the judges and all other athletes present at the event. It was a sign that Timmerman was ready for prime time, not just athletically, but also mentally. Led by Timmerman, Concordia Cheer produced its highest ever team score in 2022 and placed fourth in the GPAC.
The team routines aren’t nearly as nerve-racking as the individual all-conference performances, but Timmerman had to get over whatever fears she may have had. Maser and assistant coach Emilie Ashenbach saw that Timmerman had what it took to make that leap as a sophomore.
“I had no intention of ever doing it,” Timmerman said of her attempt at all-conference honors. “I just wanted to be here and compete. At the end of year freshman meeting, our coaches said that this was their goal for me to try out for all-conference. At the time I thought it was crazy. I didn’t have the tumbling skills to try out at the end of last season and I hadn’t learned new tumbling skills in four years. This past summer I had to get back into that. It was a lot of training I hadn’t done in a long time, but I’m so glad I did it because then I was able to be at a higher level than I have been my whole cheer career.”
What makes her such a marvel of an athlete is her strength for someone as fit and small in stature as the 5-foot-4 Timmerman. She packs a punch in that frame. As Maser aptly put it, “When you look at her you have no idea how strong she is.” Timmerman’s range of abilities make her a compelling athlete, one who can fill just about any role on the team. She tumbles, she jumps and she can be a base – or a flyer. On the mat, Timmerman does it all.
A gymnast during her childhood, Timmerman tried volleyball and she even pole vaulted in high school. But it was actually younger sister Sierra who turned Shelby on to the idea of competitive cheer. When Shelby watched Sierra cheer at a gym in Beatrice, Neb., she was hooked.
Recalls Shelby, “When I went to watch her, I was like, ‘Mom, I really want to do this.’ My sister and I are six years apart. She obviously started a lot younger than I did. I really wanted to do it and she was like, okay. I started in Beatrice and four years later I transferred to a different competitive gym in Lincoln because they had a higher level of cheerleading that I wanted to do.”
Timmerman took to cheer quite well, found her way onto an all-star competitive team in Lincoln and rose to the status of captain for her squad at Wilber-Clatonia. All the while, their shared love for cheer has brought Shelby and Sierra closer together. Shelby says Sierra has been able to make it to Concordia Cheer competitions when her schedule has allowed. The thrill of competition became such a part of life that Shelby knew she wanted to continue her cheer career at the college level.
It took multiple visits to Concordia before Shelby became sold that it was the right place for her. She wanted to stay close to home. Maser knew about Shelby through the Lincoln gym she trained at. Timmerman has had no regrets about her decision. As Timmerman said of Maser and Ashenbach as coaches, “I love them.”
“I knew I wanted to cheer in college, but I never really thought about it until my senior year,” Timmerman said. “I was looking at Doane and Hastings because I knew I wanted to go to an NAIA school and not be too far away from home. When I visited Concordia, I actually visited twice because I wasn’t sure. The second time I visited, Coach was like, ‘We want you here. We think you would fit in really well.’ I’m so glad I decided to pick Concordia because I really do get along with the people here – better than I would have at other schools.”
A future teacher majoring in Elementary Education and Middle Level Sciences, Shelby says she struggled at first with the adjustment to ‘dead mats’ that lack the type of spring incorporated into mats she previously was used to. But Timmerman isn’t one to give in easily. She also doesn’t wait around to try to get in shape when the season draws near. Her summers are characterized in part by grueling workouts (and juggling multiple jobs). Timmerman made huge improvements in her tumbling thanks to last summer’s dedication. She progressed to the point that tumbling is her favorite part of a performance. So focused during a routine, Shelby says it’s almost as if she blacks out for a few minutes as adrenaline pumps through the body.
Those are the type of traits that Maser recognized in the recruiting process and led her to conclude that Timmerman was going to be special. Her instincts proved correct. It’s exciting to think about what Shelby is capable of over the next two years. For Timmerman, the goal is to get the team to nationals.
Says Maser, “She defines what a coach wants in an athlete. She is coachable, she loves a challenge and knows that we believe in her.”