UPLAND, Ind. – Saturday, the Spring Arbor University competitive cheer team traveled to Taylor University for two different competitions in one day. This meet was the largest of the season for the Cougars and there were many talented teams taking the mat. It was the first time this season that the Cougars competed against Indiana Wesleyan University, Taylor University, University of Saint Francis, Huntington University and Georgetown College.

This was a great day for the Cougars as they increased the difficulty of their group stunts and threw a new pyramid for the first time. This was the most difficult routine SAU has put on the mat this season and was the cleanest routine they have put our so far. Trojan Invitational Round 1 finished with a 78.85, the fourth-best score in team history. The team made some personnel changes and came back even stronger for Round 2, breaking 80 with an 80.47 taking the third spot in history, bumping Round 1 down to the fifth slot.

Freshman Makayla McGarry said, "I was nervous heading into the competition, but once the music started I was locked in. Before the second competition, Coach asked if I could take on additional responsibilities and I was up to the challenge. The team did great. We were amazing and I am proud my stunt group hit both of our stunts."

Freshman Solana Gonzalez said, "I think it went really well. I want to shout out Makayla as she got put in for group stunt #2 and she took on the challenge. She did amazing. I think overall as a team, we definitely brought the energy up and we performed a lot better the second time, so I think that is awesome."

Junior Xandria Stephenson said, "I think we did pretty good. During the warmups, I was pretty skeptical of how we were going to do the pyramid just because it was going to be the first time we put all three sections on the mat during a competition. Our stunt group communicated very well together. Cathrine Govier helped communication with our group so we could all work together and knew if we could cradle or twist down. It showed great teamwork and how well we have been able to grow and work as a team this year."

Head coach Hannah Philson was very pleased with how the team performed, and was excited to have broken 80 for the second time this season. Next up, the Cougars have a week off and prepare for the Crossroads League Championship at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Mar 15.

 
Trojan Invitational Round 1
1.Georgetown – 89.50
2.Indiana Wesleyan University – 88.45
3.University of Saint Francis – 84.64
4.Taylor University – 84.20
5.Marian University – 81.75
6.Spring Arbor – 78.85
7.Huntington University – 52.10
 

Trojan Invitational Round 2
1.Indiana Wesleyan University – 89.97
2.University of Saint Francis – 87.52
3.Taylor University – 87.20
4.Marian University – 84.30
5.Spring Arbor – 80.47
6.Huntington University – 55.43
 

TOP-10 PROGRAM SCORES
1.80.85 – Trojan Invite (2024)
2.80.65 – MVNU Invite #2 (2025)
3.80.47 – Trojan Invite #2 (2025)
4.78.9 – MVNU Invite #1 (2025)
5.78.85 – Trojan Invite #1 (2025)
6.78.33 – Wildcat Invite 1 (2024)
7.78.20 – Cougar Classic #2 (2024)
8.77.96 – 2024 Crossroads League Championships (2024)
9.76.17 – Cardinal Invite (2022)
10.74.80 – Wildcat Invite (2022)