ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon competitive cheer program recently completed a successful weekend that included a pair of stops at the CANAM Collegiate Championships in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Battle at the Capitol in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
The co-ed team began the weekend with a first-place finish out of seven teams at the CANAM Collegiate Championships with 112.8 points. Limestone (107.45), Appalachian State (105.15), Pasco-Hernado State (89.75), the University of North Florida (89.40), Indiana Hills Community College (86.65) and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (84.65) rounded out the field.
The Golden Knights received zero deductions during the event. The squad's scoring highlights included 8.5 points out of 10 for running tumbling execution, 4.9 points out of five for toss difficulty, 4.8 points out of five for running tumbling difficulty and 4.6 points out of five for standing tumbling difficulty.
Meanwhile, the all-girl team placed second out of five teams at the CANAM Collegiate Championships. Northern Illinois topped the competition with 99.1 points. Gannon (93.2), Coastal Carolina (92.6), Central College (80.8) and Western Carolina (74.5) completed the top five.
The Lady Knights received a perfect score for running tumbling difficulty. The performance included 5.7 points out of six for stunt difficulty, four points out of five for synchronized tumbling and 5.35 points out of six for pyramid difficulty.
Both teams then traveled to Oxon Hill, Maryland for a two-day event in the Battle at the Capitol. The co-ed team competed uncontested, but produced the highest score of all college teams at the event. The squad generated a 95.92 score during the first day and 97.94 score during the second day for a 96.93 final score.
The Golden Knights competed at the top of their game despite being uncontested. There were zero skill deductions during the first day and only a half-point deduction during the second day. The group recorded perfect scores both days for toss difficulty. It improved scores from the first day to the second day in toss execution (4.9 out of five points), pyramid execution (4.8 out of five) and overall performance (9.63 out of 10). The results included the same score both days in jump execution (4.9 out of five) and routine composition (9.7 out of 10).
The all-girl team sat in second place out of six teams after the first day of the Battle at the Capitol, before narrowly finishing third after the final day. Elmira College captured the top award with 95.97 points. Shepherd (92.17), Gannon (92.09), Keuka (91.81), Frostburg State (90.14) and Delaware Valley (88.96) rounded out the six-team field.
The Lady Knights had the fewest deductions (0.25 point) among teams within their division during the first day and received zero deductions during the final day. The squad generated its final score with a 91.97 score on day one and 92.22 score on day two. The steady resume included the same score both days in jump execution (4.9 out of five points), standing tumbling execution (4.8 out of five), running tumbling execution (4.8 out of five), routine execution (9.5 out of 10) and overall performance (9.43 out of 10).
Both Gannon competitive cheer teams return to action Saturday, March 25 when they host the Road to Daytona Showcase at the Hammermill Center.
