Lander University's cheerleading and dance teams came away with top awards in the Cheer Ltd. national competition, which was held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on March 20. The event attracted more than 4,000 all-star, recreation, school and collegiate cheerleaders and dancers. Lander was one of 25 universities and colleges that took part.
The Bearcat Dance Team, which was formed only two years ago, took first place and was named National Collegiate Dance Champions after showcasing its skills in performances that included jazz and hip-hop routines. The members of the team are: Angie Prescott of Great Falls; Torah Speach and Candace Spann of Mauldin; Megan O'Dell of Buffalo; Monica Lambright of Orangeburg; Candace Thomas of Newberry; Destiny Butler of Bamberg; Hanna Freeman of Easley; Bree Shirley of Starr; Elizabeth Harper of Rock Hill; Kristan Ware of Sumter and Meredith Mitchell of Greer.
Speach, Shirley and Ware are also members of Lander's Cheerleading Team, which was named third runner-up in the all-girl division. The team's routine included high-energy jumps, tumbling, dancing, stunt sequences and pyramids.
Other members of the cheerleading team are: Victoria McDonald and Liz Jones of Cheraw; Rayshawn Trapp of Blair; Carley West of Mauldin; Anna Wood of Ware Shoals; Sarah Hendrix of Starr; Erin Powell of Indian Land; Lindsey Bannister of Honea Path; Lauren Sitz of Duncan; Dawn Green of North Charleston; Jessica Burroughs of North Augusta; Danessa Kilpatrick of Anderson; Samantha Lay of Westminster; Giovonni Addison of Orangeburg; Melissa Reynolds of Pomaria and Summer Bruce of Landrum.
The coach of Lander's cheerleading and dance teams is Kim Schoolfield who received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Lander.