Photo courtesy of Jaime Crawford.
As the countdown to Nationals season begins, both the St. Ambrose Cheer and Dance Teams prepare for what could be a historic three-peat win. After two consecutive years of winning their respective NAIA Championships, these dancers and cheerleaders are determined to keep their title.
Junior cheerleader, Savannah Schumacher, reflects on what it means to her personally, and to the team, to be in a position to potentially win a third consecutive championship.
“I am so appreciative to be in this position once again. It really makes me feel like I made the most perfect choice by coming to Ambrose. I have had so many opportunities to grow, lead, and create lasting memories on the cheer team. Like every season, we are pushing for our personal best and always striving for perfection. Worrying about getting a three-peat, or about other teams not winning, isn’t what drives us — the work does. So, we put in the work at every practice and workout.”
For Schumacher, the prospect of winning a third consecutive championship is a testament to the team’s dedication and perseverance. The road to success isn’t just about talent; it’s about the relentless commitment to improvement and the willingness to support each other, both in practice and in life.
Junior dancer, Sara Gundacker, also shares similar views. “We hold ourselves to a very high standard. We try not to focus too much on winning because we already put enough pressure on ourselves. So far this season, we have just been focusing on working together as a team.”
Gundacker’s comment highlights an important aspect of their mindset: while championships are the goal, they understand that achieving that success comes through consistent teamwork, discipline, and dedication to the process.
Many coaches emphasize the importance of athletes taking care of themselves both on and off the floor. Head Dance Team Coach, Laurel Ritter, speaks about ways her athletes mitigate stress, anxiety, and burnout.
“As a coach, I work hard to help my athletes navigate the pressures of school, dance, and personal life. We focus on doing our personal best regardless of the outcome, and we emphasize self-care and mental health as a key part of that process,” she says.
Despite the rigorous demands of both academics and athletics, Ritter believes that prioritizing mental health can lead to better performance and more fulfilling experiences for her athletes. Managing stress and setting boundaries is crucial, especially when the stakes are high.
Even as students on the dance and cheer teams strive to manage stress, they also recognize the key to success lies in relentless practice. Sophomore dancer, Annika Foit, highlights this:
“For mental health reasons, we like to take each practice one practice at a time. It’s nice to have goals, like of course bringing home the red banner, but it is also well known to any athlete that trophies, crowns,
titles, or placements aren’t won on the floor the day of nationals. It’s each practice and the valued hours that we have to prepare for the time we have on the NAIA Floor. A joke that we had last year, something Rob Langenekert, owner of SSP, had said to us, is, ‘You have 2 minutes and 11 seconds to prove to them what you got.’”
This sense of time pressure is real for these athletes, who must make every second of their practice count. In just over two minutes, they must perform at their highest level, leaving everything on the floor for the judges to evaluate. The joke shared by Foit underscores the seriousness of the task and the importance of being prepared for that fleeting moment of performance.
Although practice is a crucial part of the team’s success, it’s the supportive and positive environment they’ve cultivated that sets them apart. Savannah Schumacher reiterates this point: “It is always important to take time for yourself and surround yourself with teammates who lift you up. This team becomes like a family with the amount of time we spend together and how much trust we put into each other – knowing that you have 25 people to back you up and be there for you on your hard days always helps. If I had a bad day, just by walking into practice, some of my teammates can turn it around for me.”
As the teams continue their preparation for the 2025 NAIA Nationals, they remain focused on the journey rather than the destination. While the goal is undoubtedly to win another championship, the process of getting there — the hours of practice, the mental and physical challenges, and the bonds they’ve made along the way — is what will ultimately define their success.
Addison Hendrick is a staff writer for The Buzz.
