ERIE, Pa. – In Gannon's final competition before heading to Daytona Beach, Florida for NCA & NDA College Nationals, the Golden Knights hosted the annual Road to Daytona Showcase on Saturday afternoon at the Highmark Events Center.
The event featured seven different programs from around the region and Gannon took first or second place in each of the four categories the Knights competed in.
In dance, the Knights competed uncontested and recorded an 87.1 in the team performance and 64.25 in the coed performance. Gannon has placed first in five different competitions this spring in both dance categories.
In the small coed cheer category, Gannon scored an 85.41 to take first place over RIT in the event. RIT scored a 76.78 to come in second place at the showcase.
In a loaded All-Girl Intermediate field that featured five programs, the Knights took second place with a score of 84.5. The Ohio State University Club program scored an 87.2 to earn first place in the event. Buffalo State (83.38), Penn State Behrend (80.4) and Alfred (74.4) rounded out the top five.
Thiel University performed at the meet with an uncontested spirit rally routine and scored a 93.68. RIT also scored a 71.43 in a coed intermediate exhibition.
Prior to Saturday's competition, the Gannon Competitive Cheer and Dance program will honor nine seniors that will perform at the Highmark Events Center for the final time. The Golden Knight seniors include
Braden Bizon (Boardman, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney) (Boardman, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney),
Josh Evans (Stockbridge, Ga./Woodland) (Stockbridge, Ga./Woodland),
Nadya Makay (Girard, Pa./Girard) (Girard, Pa./Girard),
Garett Matley (Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone) (Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone),
Karsyn Plis (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee),
Hannah Shelby (Le Roy, N.Y./Le Roy) (Le Roy, N.Y./Le Roy),
Kailey Spade (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills),
Sydney Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) and
Hannah Zarzecki (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) (Allentown, Pa./Parkland).
Saturday's event will also feature a special presentation hosted by Gannon University, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. At approximately 3 p.m., following the conclusion of the cheer and dance performances, Anna – a 13-year-old Erie girl – will be revealed her wish to go on a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida.
Road to Daytona Showcase
Final Scoring
Dance - Team Performance
1st - Gannon (87.1)
Dance - Hip Hop
1st - Gannon (64.25)
All-Girl Intermediate
1st - Ohio State Club (87.2)
2nd - Gannon (84.5)
3rd - Buffalo State (83.38)
4th - Penn State Behrend (80.4)
5th - Alfred (74.4)
Small Coed
1st - Gannon (85.41)
2nd - RIT (76.78)
Small Coed Intermediate
1st - RIT (71.43)
Spirit Rally
1st - Thiel (93.68)
