Blue Hawk cheer wins virtual competition, sit atop NAIA leaderboards

Dickinson, N.D. – Dickinson State cheer opened the season with a bang, winning the 2024 DSU Virtual Competition with a score of 94.65 in front of a large crowd inside Scott Gym on Tuesday evening. The score currently sits atop the NAIA leaderboards, effectively placing DSU as the #1 cheer team in the NAIA. The Blue Hawks defeated the University of Saint Mary (87.36) and Cumberland University (71.83) in the competition.

It was the first competition of the season for the Blue Hawks, and they have picked up right where they left off after back-to-back seasons where they took fourth place at the NAIA National Championships.

"This is the first time we've ever opened our season at home," said head coach Cebe Schneider. "That first competition is important for coaches by letting us know where the judges are going to see us on the score sheet, their reaction to our routine, and how the athletes are going to compete. Six of our 11 athletes are new to the floor, and two of them have never even done any cheer before. There was a strong field of competitors. NAIA Cheer is getting stronger and more competitive every year and skills are getting more elite, so we have to work intentionally to stay competitive. Last night our athletes rallied together and hit the floor determined to do their work. I'm proud of what they did together on the mat the scores reflected their effort. It was especially meaningful to be able to celebrate our seniors, and to have so many staff and faculty be there to cheer on the students, and for us to show our appreciation to them. We celebrated our success last night, are resting today, and will get back to it tomorrow. There's a lot of work to do, and, as always, Hawks Are Up!"

The Blue Hawks will next hit the mat when they head to Bethel, Kansas for the two-day Bethel Invitational on February 16-17.