Ancilla Cheer finishes 2nd in Super Nationals

DONALDSON – The Ancilla College Cheer team spent the weekend in Indianapolis, IN where they competed in the JamFest Cheer Super Nationals and took the runner-up spot out of three co-ed junior college teams.
The Chargers took the stage on Saturday afternoon to perform their two minute and fifteen second routine where half of their score from day one would later be added to half of their score from day two to make a combined event score. On day one, Ancilla received an overall score of 89.94 out of 90.8, but unfortunately saw a 1.5 point deduction after two stunt building falls decreasing their score to 88.44 and giving them a day one 50% score of 44.22. At the end of day one, the team sat in second to Iowa Central who received a first day half score of 46.92.
“The teams first performance was solid. We had to make some last minute changes on Wednesday night, but they really pulled it together,” commented head coach Kaylee Feece. “This was a first time experience for many of them. Being on that stage for the first time, under the lights, can be quite intimidating. We did unfortunately have two stunts that fell early, but overall it was a solid performance.”
On day two of competition, the Chargers took the floor after much discussion on fixes that needed to be made to make them ready to go for the next day of competition. After a yet again solid performance, that did see another stunt building deduction, Ancilla was able to improve their scores from the day prior to earn themselves only 1.0 points in deductions. The team received a 90.64 out of a possible 90.8 before deductions and a 89.64 after. They received a half day score of 44.82 and an overall competition score of 89.04. However, the Tritons from Iowa Central Community College, were able to pull out a successful second day, giving them an overall competition score of 93.6 and ultimately, the championship.
“This team worked hard the night after day one, discussing and reviewing what needed to be done to up their scores for the second day,” said Feece. “They came out tighter, more precise and more on fire than they have ever been. They once again, unfortunately saw a building error in stunting, but they recovered well. But, they did exactly what was asked of them, they improved. When it boils down to it, Iowa Central simply out tumbled us, and that gave them an automatic leg up on us before we even started. But to lose to a team who was a three time CheerLtd National Champion and a two time NCA College Nationals runner-up, and by a close margin, speaks volumes to what this team is capable of accomplishing.”
Wrapping up the event, Ancilla attended the awards ceremony where they were awarded the runner-up trophy. The team defeated Indian Hills Community College who finished with a score of 83.49. The team will have two weeks to continue working their routine before they take the floor on February 5th at Aquinas College for the Saints Showdown where they will compete against 10 four year schools in the co-ed division.