Cheer and Dance Compete at SSAC Championships

The Brenau competition cheerleading and dance teams competed this past weekend in two different events in Dalton, Ga.

On Saturday, the cheer and dances teams were showcased at the 2017 Southern States Athletic Conference Cheer Championships.

The cheer team competed as an exhibition team, which meant that they had no official score. However, the squad's 78.5 score would have placed ahead of the champion squad from the University of Mobile (Ala.). Loyola (La.) and Martin Methodist (Tenn.) rounded out the finishers in the event.

On day two at the Culprit Cheer event in Dalton, the cheer squad captured first place over Loyola, Martin Methodist and Mobile with a total score of 74.5.

The dance team placed second on both days of the event, finishing behind Loyola University.

Additionally, several members of both teams were honored for their academic and athletic performances.

For the cheer team, Katherine Baker, Olivia Brand, Joanna Brown, Anita Button, Breanna Hill, Camille Humphrey, Micah Rhodes, KayLynn Samples and Melissa Wintermute were all named to the SSAC All-Academic team.

From the dance team, Abby Cape, Kimberly Harris, Lauren Hughes, Autumn Jordan and Madilynn Peck were also honored as SSAC All-Academic team members.

Academic team members must have a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and have attended at least two full terms of attendance.

For athletic performance, Hill, Wintermute and Alyssa Biggs were selected as SSAC Cheer All-Conference performers, while Lauren Hughes was selected as the SSAC Dance All-Conference performer.

Also, Madilynn Peck and Micah Rhodes were chosen as Champions of Character recipients for Dance and Cheer respectively. Champions of Character honorees are chosen as best representatives of the NAIA's Five Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.

When asked about the weekend, head coach Krista Britt said, "It was the perfect competition weekend to start off our season. We have worked hard the last couple of months and it certainly paid off this weekend with top finishes both days. I am proud of their focus and teamwork."