SAU Cheer Team earns National runner-up honors
Serving as host, the St. Ambrose Cheer Team earned its top national finish, taking second at the 2021 NAIA Competitive Cheer Championships Saturday.
With just over a point separating the top four teams, SAU earned runner-up honors with an overall score of 91.11. Oklahoma City won the national title with a score of 91.53. The 0.42 margin of victory was the smallest in the four-year history of the event.
Indiana Wesleyan was third with a 90.56 and Missouri Valley finished fourth with a 90.50.
The top four teams posted the four-highest scores ever recorded at the national championships since the NAIA started offering a championship in the event in 2017.
St. Ambrose and Oklahoma City were the only two schools to post consecutive rounds in the 90s at this year's national event. OCU's preliminary-round score of 90.25 edged SAU's 90.13 Friday. Oklahoma City then posted a final-round score of 91.95 to hold on to first place. St. Ambrose was given a 91.43 Saturday to maintain second.
The championships were contested at Lee Lohman Arena. This was the third straight season St. Ambrose was selected as host. The 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SAU's previous best finish at nationals came in 2019 when the team placed third.
2021 NAIA Competitive Cheer Championships
Final Results
1) Oklahoma City, 91.53
2) St. Ambrose (Iowa), 91.11
3) Indiana Wesleyan, 90.56
4) Missouri Valley, 90.50
5) Xavier (La.), 85.86
6) Midland (Neb.), 85.80
7) Concordia (Mich.), 84.98
8) Life (Ga.), 83.63
9) Georgetown (Ky.), 82.20
10) Mobile (Ala.), 80.52
11) Lourdes (Ohio), 80.07
12) Bethel (Kan.), 67.90