Grand Canyon University Athletics
Cheer, Dance, and Thunder Win Big at Collegiate Camp
8/22/2013 8:59:00 AM | Cheerleaders
The Grand Canyon University cheer and dance teams, as well as Thunder, attended the UCA & UDA Collegiate Camp in Santa Barbara, Calif., this past week, bringing home a total of nine trophies and a multitude of awards. The teams performed and competed in a variety of events, going up against Arizona State, Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, San Diego State, University of California, and many other schools.
"The dance team had an amazing experience at camp this year," says dance team head coach, Jacque Genung-Koch. "As a team of 50/50 returners and new members, this talented group of young women came together to surpass their goals, earning several awards including recognition for Outstanding Improvement over the four day camp, Superior rating in fight song and team evaluations, and placing second for our home routine in a category comprised of prestigious collegiate dance teams."
In addition to placing in the top-four for each performance, the cheer team was honored for the second time in three years with the Leadership Award – an award that is voted on by the other schools, and is described as 'if you were not on your own team, which other team would you want to be on.' In addition, the cheer team was awarded by the UCA President & staff members the Program Development award as the best overall program.
"Taking home the Leadership and Program Award is truly the best honor the cheer team could have received," says cheer team head coach, Erin Ditto. "More than just their amazing talent, the passion and love for what these young men and women do is evident, and really shined through at camp."
Thunder also attended camp, and performed in a number of events, showing off his best dance and crowd interaction skills. He was awarded the most prestigious award for mascots, the Camp Champ Award.
Emily Stephens, Director of Spirit Programs is beyond thrilled with the program's representation and success at camp.
"Camp is the first opportunity for cheer, dance and the mascot to come together as a spirit group and represent GCU on a national level. We are honored to show others what we stand for at GCU, and every year, walk away knowing we put everything into camp and represented our University to the fullest. We look forward to continuing the success as we enter into our inaugural season at the Division I level."
The cheer & dance teams moved onto campus this past Tuesday and will be helping with new student move-in this week, representing at orientation, and performing at other events, including this Saturday's Women's Volleyball Alumni match. The teams will start their regular season practices on Monday.