OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Davenport cheer team took part in the first-ever NAIA Cheer National Championship on Friday and Saturday. The Panthers finished third out of 12 schools who qualified with a total of 80.97 points.
On Friday, preliminary scores counted towards 25 percent of a team's overall score. Each team then performed
Saturday in the finals where scores counted for 75 percent of the total score. The event took place on the campus of Oklahoma City University at Abe Lemons Arena. The host school won the championship with 87.08 points followed by Saint Francis (Ind.) at 82.93 points and then Davenport. Davenport was one of three Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference schools competing along with Concordia (5th, 74.11) and Lourdes (8th, 72.77).
Davenport was the only all-girl team to compete as all other teams were co-ed. The Panthers were also the only team to hit zero in the finals meaning that they had zero deductions in their routine. The team also accomplished what they did with an all-freshmen team. Today marked the first-ever National Championship in Competitive Cheer. The NAIA is the only collegiate athletics association to offer a national championship in the sport.
"It was an honor to participate in the first-ever NAIA Cheer National Championship. We took on another competitive team this year not knowing what to expect in this arena. All I knew and what I desired from our coaching staff was to coach them the 'Davenport way'. The high expectations produced a high reward and I couldn't be prouder of this team for taking third in a highly-skilled championship! The Lady Panthers hit a ZERO deduction routine in finals; conquered limits this year as a Panther family, and took away lessons that go well beyond the practice room. My heart is full and I'm looking forward to seeing them leave more of an impact as they grow into veterans in this program." -Head Coach
Celia Allen-Hames
"Just when I thought this group of all freshmen hit their peak, they defied all odds and walked off the NAIA Cheer National Championship mat with a perfect, zero deduction routine. The work ethic of this team is one that every coach dreams of coaching. When we pushed this team to their limit, they pushed back exceeding any expectation the coaching staff had. I get chills thinking about what this group will accomplish come their senior year." -Assistant Coach
Amber Gniewek
