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Spirit squads to compete in national competition Jan. 16-18
LAWRENCE — University of Kansas spirit squads will compete Jan. 16-18 at the Universal Cheerleading Association/Universal Dance Association College Nationals in Orlando, Fla.
The KU cheerleaders placed first in the Mid-American Region and received a full-paid bid to nationals, a first in school history.
“We’re all really excited for the great result and are proud of the hard work that the squad and assistant coaches Nami Stone and Jimmy Godfrey have put in to get us to this level,” said head coach Corey Stone.
KU’s Big Jay, one of the most recognizable mascots in collegiate athletics, will participate in the national competition for the first time after placing eighth out of 24 pre-qualified mascots. The mascot squad has been compiling video all year and is excited about the opportunity to showcase Big Jay on the national stage.
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Mandy Pruett, the Rock Chalk Dancers placed eighth among 34 teams in the 1A Division. For the first time, the dance squad has received a partial-paid bid to nationals.
“Receiving a partial-paid bid for nationals has definitely given my team the determination to take the routine to the next level,” said Pruett.
KU fans will have the opportunity to see the spirit squads’ national routines when they perform during halftime of various men’s and women’s basketball games at Allen Fieldhouse in January.
KU students competing in Orlando are listed below by hometown, year in school, major, parents’ names, high schools and competition category.
DONIPHAN COUNTY
From Troy 66087 and Olathe
Kristen Young, junior majoring in psychology, daughter of William Young of Troy and Elizabeth Young of Olathe; Olathe South High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Lacey Dawn Baxter, senior majoring in sports nutrition, daughter of Tim and Penny Robson; Lawrence Free State High School; cheerleader.
From Lawrence 66049
Claire Penzler, sophomore majoring in journalism, daughter of Craig and Cindy Penzler; Lawrence Free State High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa 66215
Lauren Guthrie, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in nursing, daughter of Gregory and Renne Guthrie; Olathe East High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Lenexa 66227 and Lansing
Chris Nelson, senior in journalism, son of Jeff Nelson of Lenexa and Andrea Pawlowski of Lansing; Lansing High School; Big Jay mascot.
From Olathe 66062 and Troy
Kristen Young. SEE DONIPHAN COUNTY
From Overland Park 66207
Scott Johnson Borgmier, senior in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in sport sciences and community health, son of Bill and Anne Borgmier; Shawnee Mission East High School; cheerleader.
From Overland Park 66213
Madeline Estrada, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in journalism, daughter of Leopoldo and Phyllis Estrada; Notre Dame de Sion High School, Kansas City, Mo.; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Prairie Village 66207
Alexandra Fiss, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in education; daughter of Robert and Kimberly Fiss; St. Teresa’s Academy, Kansas City, Mo.; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Shawnee 66216
Allysa Orlanes, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in business, daughter of Joseph and Lodette Orlanes; St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park; Rock Chalk Dancer.
Marie Payawal, freshman in liberal arts and sciences, daughter of Doyle and Maria Haverfield; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
Chad D. Spoor, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in business, son of Clinton and Cheryl Spoor; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; cheerleader.
From Shawnee 66217
Haley Hoffman, freshman majoring in psychology, daughter of Karen Hoffman; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; cheerleader.
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Lansing 66043 and Lenexa
Chris Nelson. SEE JOHNSON COUNTY
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Clearwater 67026
Chace Moeder, freshman in liberal arts and sciences, son of Byron and Raquel Moeder; Clearwater High School; cheerleader.
From Wichita 67212
Chelsea Mayta, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in chemistry, daughter of Michael and Valerie Mayta; Maize High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Wichita 67213
Charles Schoket, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in business, son of David and Susan Schoket; Wichita High School West; cheerleader.
From Wichita 67216
Jeremy Gregory, junior in liberal arts and sciences preparing to study law, son of Cynthia Henderson; Wichita High School South; cheerleader.
From Wichita 67218 and 67228
Stanley Strecker, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in business, son of Jeffrey Strecker (67218) and Joyce Chrisman (67228); Circle High School, Towanda; cheerleader.
COLORADO
From Highlands Ranch 80126
Emily Kempf, freshman majoring in elementary education, daughter of Benjamin and Janice Kempf; Thunder Ridge High School; cheerleader.
From Lone Tree 80124
Kaitlin Still, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in psychology, daughter of Roger and Debra Still; Highlands Ranch High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
ILLINOIS
From Alton 62035
Chris Lindsey, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in physical therapy or athletic training, son of Darren Lindsey and Kelly Lindsey; Alton High School; cheerleader.
From Deerfield 60015
Christian Richard Larsen, junior majoring in education, son of Robert and Gayla Larsen; Deerfield High School; Big Jay mascot.
From Frankfort 60423
Jarell Staten, junior in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in education, son of Little and Sharon Staten; Lincoln-Way East High School; cheerleader.
From Tinley Park 60477
Brittany Sauerman, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in physical therapy, daughter of David and Deborah Schultz-Sauerman; Tinley Park High School; cheerleader.
IOWA
From Davenport 52806
Darcy Stanger, junior majoring in accounting, daughter of Dennis and Diane Stanger; Assumption High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Walcott 52773
Katie Arp, freshman in liberal arts and sciences, daughter of Kent and Marilyn Arp; Assumption High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
MASSACHUSETTS
From Sudbury 01776
Meghan Trefry, sophomore majoring in history and preparing to study social welfare, daughter of Lisa Trefry; Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School; cheerleader.
MINNESOTA
From Eden Prairie 55347
Gretchen Siebert, freshman in liberal arts and sciences, daughter of Charles and Cindy Siebert; Eden Prairie High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Mendota Heights 55120
Erin Devine, freshmen in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in business; daughter of Robert and Meta Devine; Henry Sibley Senior High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Plymouth 55442
Nicole Chanen, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in journalism, daughter of Jeffrey and Cheryl Chanen; Robbinsdale Armstrong High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
MISSOURI
From Blue Springs 64015
Whitney Schieber, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in business, daughter of Douglas and Linda Schieber; Blue Springs High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Lee’s Summit 64063
Amy Penney, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in education, daughter of Michael and Diana Penney; Lee’s Summit Senior High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
From Lee’s Summit 64064
Tyler Danforth, senior majoring in architectural engineering, son of Lauri Wilson; Blue Springs South High School; Big Jay mascot.
From Liberty 64068
Courtney Kuhnhenn, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in secondary education, daughter of Brent and Julie Kuhnhenn; Liberty High School; Rock Chalk Dancer.
NEBRASKA
From Omaha 68118
Leslie Wanning, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences, daughter of Jeffrey Wanning and Martha Millard; North High School; cheerleader.
From Plattsmouth 68048
Jordan Wilson, sophomore majoring in biology, son of Roger and Sherri Wilson; Andover Central High School, Andover, Kan.; cheerleader.
TEXAS
From Olden 76466
Lauren Adams, freshman in liberal arts and sciences preparing to major in pharmacy, daughter of Billy and Tammy Adams; Eastland High School, Plano, Texas; cheerleader.
From Plano 75093
Elizabeth Bellinger, junior majoring in journalism, daughter of Glen and Patty Bellinger; Ursuline Academy High School; cheerleader.
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