Seventh in the Nation

That is the claim to fame for the Olivet College dance, STUNT and cheer teams after competing at the National Cheer Association championships inDaytona, Florida, the first week of April.

Seventh out of seven, but more importantly, the second consecutive year the Comets have received a bid to nationals. The entire team competed in one catagory. Most all student members were able to travel to Florida.

The team performs under the leadership of second-year coach TrishThomas. The decades long dancer and teacher is leaving Olivet this spring for a position in Flint, serving the people still suffering from the water crisis there.

Under her leadership, the team formed and performed at sporting events in and outside The Cutler EventCenter. The national competitions were the highlight for team members.

“There were schools from all over the nation. We took seventh, but the competition was very tough, said alum T’Keyia Collins.

“Everyone was great,” said sophomore team member Myra Jones. “We made the final seven....We were prepared as much as we could’ve been.”

“One of teammates (had an injury)right before our performance, and we had to make dramatic changes to the routine,” said Collins.

The team pulled through, andJones said “we adapted and did our best.”

Both Collins and Jones hope more Comets will join this growing team.