SEWARD, Neb. – In perhaps the largest cheer and dance competition held nationally throughout the NAIA landscape, the Bulldogs welcomed 15 cheer and 15 dance squads to Friedrich Arena on Saturday (Feb. 10). As part of the Concordia Day of Duals, the Concordia Competitive Dance team claimed two victories in defeating William Penn University (Iowa) and Benedictine College (Kan.). The Bulldogs earned scores of 80.43 and 81.03, respectively. In round two, the Bulldogs scored the sixth highest total among all teams present in Seward.
Dual Scores:
· Concordia 80.43, William Penn 79.37
· Concordia 81.03, Benedictine 76.4
This was the fourth competition of the season for Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad. Concordia enjoys putting on events like this one while grabbing the spotlight.
“I’m proud of how our team competed in both rounds,” Maser said. “Our athletes appreciated the support from parents and fans who made it a terrific atmosphere for cheer and dance. It was a great event to be able to celebrate our seniors. We look forward to building upon this competition and fine-tuning our routine for the event next weekend.”
The Bulldogs were represented on Saturday by the same seven athletes (listed below) who helped the team place fifth at Friday’s York Invitational. Concordia improved its scores on Saturday and has now hit 80 or higher three times this season. The five teams to place above the Bulldogs in round two of the day of duals were Grand View University (Iowa) (88.67), Baker University (Kan.) (85.87), Midland (85.77), Viterbo University (Wis.) (82.6) and Hastings (82.27).
Not only did the Day of Duals include a series of duals, the top three overall scoring teams were rewarded with trophies. The overall team champions were Midland in cheer and Grand View in dance.
Following the competitions, the Bulldogs honored the senior class. Between cheer and dance, Concordia has nine seniors: Aubrey Baumann, Avery Lewis, Stephanie Mashuga and Maddie Wittstruck for dance and Kayla Johnson, Victoria Perry, Bre Romero, Elizabeth Schultz and Shelby Timmerman.
Saturday competition roster:
· Hanna Bitner (Valentine, Neb.)
· Ryleigh Flesner (Greeley, Colo.)
· Taylor Larsen (Ravenna, Neb.)
· Avery Lewis (Seward, Neb.)
· Elise O’Neill (North Platte, Neb.)
· Kaylee Powell (Central City, Neb.)
· Maddie Wittstruck (Milford, Neb.)
2024 competition results
1/20 – 82.0 (triangular vs. CSM/Hastings)
1/27 – Placed 3rd at CIT
2/9 – 76.77 (5th out of 14)
2/10 – 80.43 (dual vs. William Penn)
2/10 – 81.03 (dual vs. Benedictine)
Up next for Concordia Cheer & Dance will be the Dordt Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 17. The event is slated to get started at 11 a.m. CT from Sioux Center, Iowa. It will be the final competition prior to the GPAC Championships (March 8-9).