ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In a bid for the program’s first-ever CIT championship, Concordia University, Nebraska Competitive Cheer emerged as the runner up. The Bulldogs earned a score of 63.73 on an adapted scale while competing at the 2025 Concordia Invitational Tournament hosted by Concordia University, Ann Arbor on Saturday (Jan. 25). The home Cardinals captured the CIT title with a score of 74.15.
Head Coach Emilie Ashenbach’s program has placed as the CIT runner up for the third-straight year. Host CUAA has been a perennially strong program to go up against.
“Our team had a strong showing today at Concordia Ann Arbor for our first competition of the season,” Ashenbach said. “For being our first time out, I think they did a great job. We had a few hiccups, but that’s okay. We’ll use this experience to grow and refine our routine. I’m proud of the effort and energy they brought to the mat, and I’m excited to see how we progress as the season continues.”
CIT 2025 Cheer Scores (max score of 90)
1. CUAA – 74.15
2. CUNE – 63.73
3. CUC – 62.65
4. CUW – 37.23
CUNE competed second in the competition after first watching Concordia Wisconsin take the mat. The Bulldogs defeated both Concordia Chicago (55.15) and Concordia Wisconsin (33.17) while executing a routine with a higher degree of difficulty. The Bulldog competition roster at CIT included 11 athletes, including 10 from the state of Nebraska.
CIT Competition Roster
· LaCole Anno (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Riley Bennett (Louisville, Neb.)
· Mikah Culler (Grand Island, Neb.)
· Avery Holmberg (Maize, Kan.)
· Bri Hoyle (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Lexi Mack (Wilber, Neb.)
· Ara Maxwell (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Adelyn Opp (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Lauryn Stanley (Big Springs, Neb.)
· Mya Stover (Lincoln, Neb.)
· Rhiannon Van Osdel (Fremont, Neb.)
The CUNE cheer and dance squads now look ahead to the weekend of Feb. 7-8 when the York University Invitational (Feb. 7) and the Concordia Day of Duals (Feb. 8) will take place. Both events will feature some of the top competition from around the NAIA.