California Baptist University
USA Collegiate Championships
Nearly Flawless
3/21/2016 7:38:00 PM | Cheerleading
ANAHEIM, Calif. — While the first day may not have gone the way California Baptist University wanted it to go, the Lancers came back with a near perfect routine the next day to win their fifth-straight USA College Championship crown.
"The USA competition is always a great step in the process of getting the team ready for nationals," said Coach Tami Fleming. "I am extremely proud of the performance the team put out on the floor in finals and that the hard work has paid off. It is an honor to be the five-time USA College Champions."
The Lancers finished with an 88.05 score for first place, with 70 percent of the final round score and 30 percent of the preliminary round score counting in the final standings. Cal State Stanislaus took second (82.08) and Northern Arizona (NCAA Division I) placed third (72.76).
CBU had an uncharacteristic amount of mistakes and deductions in the prelims, but still sat in first place heading into the finals. Despite the shaky start, the Lancers had to take their previous performance completely out of their minds as they took the mat to defend their title.
It showed on the mat as the Lancers didn't grab a single penalty deduction in their final routine, doing their routine with near flawless execution to take first once again. With the win, CBU kept its unbeaten streak alive since 2013 heading into the national championships.
Amanda Drogemuller, Mara Gates, Dulce Velasquez and Bailey Volaski also competed as a stunt group at the championship. The foursome had a strong preliminary round, going into the second day sitting in first place. Unfortunately, CBU's group made a few mistakes and bobbled in the final round to drop to fifth. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo took first, with NAU grabbing second and Grand Canyon and San Francisco State rounding out third and fourth, respectively.
CBU — which hasn't been able to compete against another team in its division until this event — has one last tune-up before it has another title to defend, this time in Florida. The Lancers will show off their talent on Saturday, April 2, at the Lancer Cheer Showcase, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Van Dyne Gym.
The Lancers head to Daytona Beach, Fla., the following week for the National Cheerleaders Association Championships where they have grabbed an unprecedented three-consecutive championship titles. CBU hopes to make it a four-peat and build on its stunt group debut from last year, where the Lancer foursome took eighth.
Players Mentioned
