Head Coach: Mandi Maser (6th year); 2020 GPAC Cheer Coach of the Year
2021 GPAC Finishes: Cheer 4th/7 | Dance 4th/9
2021 NAIA Northwest Finishes: Cheer 4th/7 | Dance 5th/10
Outlook
A significant leap forward in 2021 has Concordia University Cheer brimming with confidence heading into a new competition season. Members of the team arrived on campus a week prior to the start of the second semester while grinding through an intensive stretch of two-a-day practices. The Bulldogs continue to increase the difficulty of their routines as Head Coach Mandi Maser enters her sixth season leading the program.
Some highlights from last season included three conference dual wins, a second-place claim at Concordia’s own invite and a fourth-place finish at the conference championships. All the while, the competition regionally and nationally keeps getting stronger.
“We had to limit who was on the mat and make some hard choices,” Maser said regarding the program’s growth. “We had a whole lot of kids who made it easier by coming in and wanting to compete and wanting to excel. They all stepped up and achieved at a much higher level than they thought they would and surprised themselves. They were able to improve their scores even if there was a bobble here or there or a tough sequence. You could tell our kids wanted it more than the ones they competed against.”
The program welcomes back seven of the 10 athletes who competed at the 2021 GPAC Championships/NAIA Northwest Qualifier. One of three men on the roster, Kearney, Neb., native Brenden Ingram has emerged as an important leader and has progressed by leaps and bounds after entering college without competitive cheer experience. Maser also has high praise for the likes of Kathryn Taylor and Shelby Timmerman. Other holdovers who competed at the regional qualifier include Danielle Larsen, Josie O’Laughlin, Sabrina Reed and Isabel Sermeno.
Now in his fourth year in the program, Ingram understands what it has taken to raise the competitive level of the entire program. Three years ago, Ingram was part of a team that often struggled on the scoresheet. The fortunes have been reversed through the work of Maser and through increased commitment and athleticism on the roster.
Said Ingram, “Starting our freshman year we had only one or two people who could effectively tumble, which hurts your overall score. Being able to build that has helped a lot. We’ve also built in more practices and more strength and conditioning. We’ve really taken a step up in accountability as well as far as making sure each of us can hit our individual things. Freshman year we used to struggle with things such as extensions, pop offs and basic stuff. We’ve really grown and continued to progress. We have a lot of people step up and be very flexible on the mat.”
Maser, named the 2020 GPAC Cheer Coach of the Year, has overseen a program beginning to hit its stride. She also now has the benefit of full-time assistant Emilie Aschenbach, a two-time cheer All-American during her career at Midland. The program has never been in a better position to succeed.
“We have impressive athletes who perform different roles,” Maser said. “Shelby Timmerman is a sophomore who excels in all areas. She tumbles, she’s a great jumper and she’s a solid base and is stronger than you could ever imagine. When you look at her you have no idea how strong she is. Brenden came in not knowing anything about cheer. He’s taken tumbling and has added strength and improved his skill level so much. Tyler Scholz does an excellent job of jumping in – he had never done it before. Our flyer that is one of the most trusting people on the planet is Kathryn Taylor. She’s impressive in everything she does.”
Early indications have been positive during the preseason. Added Ingram, “I’m looking forward to watching our routine develop. Coach is big on always starting tame with something we can be consistent with, something we can hit and as we progress throughout the season, we can add things and change things – make things better. We’ve already made a couple of changes and they have all been hitting. It’s exciting to see that growth and progression.”
The season will officially kick off on Jan. 19 when the Bulldogs will host Morningside and Peru State College as part of a triangular. The action is slated to begin following the women’s basketball game that night (tipoff at 6 p.m.) and take place inside the PE Center Gym. Concordia also looks forward to hosting its day of duals on Feb. 19 and competing at the GPAC/regional qualifier on Feb. 25-26.