MARION, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University competitive cheer team continues to raise the bar, delivering the two strongest performances in program history at Wildcat Weekend in Marion, Indiana. The Cougars notched the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the program's all-time Top 10 score list, marking not just a milestone weekend, but a launchpad for what's still ahead. With continued focus and discipline, the team is poised to climb even higher as the season progresses.
 
Friday night's first session set the tone, showcasing a powerful, confident routine that fueled a comeback from the previous weekend. Group stunts were executed strong but a fall in the pyramid section cost them, while both jump and basket scores saw noticeable improvement. The meet also featured a historic first for the program: three tuck baskets thrown on the mat by three different groups. The Cougars secured a strong third-place finish with an 82.10, the program's highest score. SAU trailed only session winner Indiana Wesleyan and runner-up Taylor University in the placements.
 
Heading into Saturday morning's performance, the team carried the momentum and belief from their record-breaking night. The energy was high, the confidence was real, and the Cougars were ready to prove that Friday's success was no fluke. Their presence at the top of the leaderboard is no accident—Spring Arbor Cheer made it clear they're here to stay. SAU executed a near flawless routine, earning them an 88.20. Once again, the Cougars claimed third place in their session, finishing just behind the University of the Cumberlands and Indiana Wesleyan—and coming within only 1.2 points of first place.
 
Head Coach Hannah Philson had this to say about the weekend, "I could not be prouder of this team's performance this weekend. Those 17 athletes gave it everything they had this weekend, and they came out with scores they should be proud of. We are competing at a level this program has never seen before, and it is time that other teams take notice. I am looking forward to upping our difficulty and continuing to improve before we head to Kentucky next week."
 
Freshman Lyla Kling had this to say about the weekend, "We've seen tremendous growth in our confidence and our ability to consistently perform—hitting our skills, doing our jobs, and showing the progress, we've worked so hard for."
 
Sophomore captain Solana Gonzalez had this to say about the weekend, "This weekend was truly life changing. We went in with such positive attitudes, and we came out of the weekend with new school records. I'm so proud of the growth we've shown in just the three competitions we've had so far, and I can't wait for us to set an even higher record."
 
Sophomore Keira Etzelmiller had this to say about the weekend, "I'm actually failing to find concise words accurately to describe it. Incredible, out-of-body, and wonderful all pale in comparison to this experience. Our team was unified. Everyone was beyond positive, strong, and supportive. This was all an answer to weeks/months/YEARS of prayer and preparation. All I can do is praise God for giving us the talent, joy, and hard-working FAMILY of a team. Matthew 19:26 says '-but with God all things are possible.' He displayed His power by giving us this irreplaceable weekend, and I want everyone to know we give Him glory. Words fail to convey what this means to us. Thank you, God!"
 
Next up the competitive cheer team is at Georgetown College's Tiger Invite on Saturday, Feb. 14.


Wildcat Weekend Session 1
1. Indiana Wesleyan University – 92.0
2. Taylor University – 87.6
3. Spring Arbor University – 82.10
4. University of the Cumberlands – 81.0
5. Florida Memorial University – 80.2
6. Huntington – 65.7
Grace College (exhibition) – 79.6
 
Wildcat Weekend Session 2
1. University of the Cumberlands – 89.4
2. Indiana Wesleyan University – 88.5
3. Spring Arbor University – 88.2
4. Taylor University – 87.25
5. Florida Memorial University – 85.6
6. Cumberland University (TN) – 84.7
7. Marian University – 81.4
8. Bethel University – 76.6
9. University of Saint Francis – 74.8
10. Huntington University – 64.7
Grace College (exhibition) – 79.6
 
TOP 10 PROGRAM SCORES
1. 88.20 – Wildcat Weekend Session #2 (2026)
2. 82.10 – Wildcat Weekend Session #1 (2026)
3. 80.85 – Trojan Invite (2024)
4. 80.65 – MVNU Invite #2 (2025)
5. 80.47 – Trojan Invite #2 (2025)
6. 78.90 – MVNU Invite #1 (2025)
7. 78.85 – Trojan Invite #1 (2025)
8. 78.33 – Wildcat Invite #1 (2024)
9. 78.20 – Cougar Classic #2 (2024)
10. 77.96 – 2024 Crossroads League Championships (2024)