OLLU Spirit Competed at Battle in the Big Easy
NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 16, 2023) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) spirit teams competed at the Battle in the Big Easy from Feb. 9-10. Both teams were led by Crystal Brock and Joe Gonzalez, and competed in four events each while in New Orleans.
The competitive cheer group started with the cheer triangular on Thursday. This was the first-time cheer has taken the mat at a competition. They placed third with a score of 54.9. Langston University (LU) took first at 74.93, followed by Williams Baptist University (WBU) in second at 67.43. They participated in another cheer triangular later in the day but faced Dillard University (DU) and Montreat College (MC). The Saints improved to a second-place finish with a score of 58.86. DU placed first at 68.63 and MC sat in third at 48.23.
There were two more events for the cheer team on Friday. They battled MU, LU, Concordia University (Mich.) (CU), University of Saint Francis (USF), WBU and Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) in the cheer group competition to start the day. The Saints grabbed fourth place out of the seven programs with a score of 64.96. The Saints wrapped up competition by participating in another cheer triangular. They battled CU and finished second with a score of 58.63.
Head Coach Brock commented, "I will forever be grateful for all the hard work that was put into our cheer performances. This has been three years in the making and for these athletes to take the mat at a competition for the first time in OLLU history was a moment I will cherish forever. Skylar Lloyd, Deann Ortega and Ximena Cantu were members of the first team in 2020 when our year was hindered due to the pandemic. Their loyalty to our program has been much appreciated. This competition was about resilience and teamwork. I am unbelievably proud of all our spirit groups and the growth we have made this year."
The dance team took part in the dance dual against DU on Thursday. Dillard won with a score of 68.9, while the Saints finished at 47.15. They followed that performance by winning the dance triangular trios over MU and Talladega College (TC) with a score of 61.26. The Saints squared up against DU, MU, University of the Cumberlands (UC), Loyola New Orleans (LOY) and CU in the dance group competition on Friday. OLLU scored 68.8 for fourth place out of six teams. The squad completed competition at another cheer triangular later that day. They faced CU and MC and took second place at 58.63.
Brock said, "It is evident we have grown from our first season and are using those lessons to become more competitive this year. The dance team won OLLU's first Trio Competition at this event. We have taken to heart the judges' comments we received at Nationals last year. The returning members have all be beneficial for our freshmen who are new to the collegiate competition arena. Madicela Perez, Alynna Gutierrez and Madison Smith were great motivators as our captains and leaders. They pushed the team to strive for perfection. Thank you to TJ Maple and Katie McAninch for a great routine and for believing in our vision."
Up next
The cheer and dance teams will compete at the 2023 Collegiate Virtual Championship on March 18.