Cheer, Dance Prepare for New Competition

Coach Alex Shaw thinks that Ottawa University's 2009 cheerl and dance team are better than ever.

With a lot of new members this year she believes the dedication to the team has grown.

"I expect the same dedication, if they keep going the rate their going, they'll be unstoppable," Shaw said.

According to Shaw, the team got to know each other and bond during camp. Now they consider each other a family.

Shaw says she is proud of them. The new members are doing just as well as the returning members.

"They're all dedicated and focused on what they do, so it's nice to have them," Shaw said.

Last year they squad won first place in the palm division in the Nation's Best Competition.

This year the group is going to be competing in "Cheer Power Dance Power" held in Wichita, Kansas on November 14. Shaw really wants them to win this competition.

"They deserve to do something for themselves, so they can be rewarded for all their hard work," Shaw said.

Despite hard work and improvement, Shaw wants more males to join the team for next year. The girls on the team express the same want.

"This is our first year with an all girl squad, the previous years we had a co-ed team," Meghan Caldwell, junior, aid.

The dance team is also working towards a competitive goal. Their first performance was at OU's first football home game, during halftime.

"I think our performance was excellent, I was really nervous but I did the best I could and it turned out well," Tia Battle, freshman said.

The girls are working hard but they say it is all for their upcoming competition; these girls really wants to win.

"We are having extra practices and working on new stunts," Caldwell said.