The Cheer Squad places 2nd in first ever competition! Bethany Cheer competed the Small Co-ed Collegiate division at the Sunflower Classic in Concordia, KS on Feb. 3rd, 2006

The adventure of the Bethany cheer squad’s first competition was just beginning.

The Bethany competition squad was composed of team members who chose to compete and were willing to commit more practice time. At the Classic, a small, Kansas-based competition, Bethany competed against ten other teams in the cheer-dance team combo division.

Bethany was noted for their routine’s level of difficulty. Schlosser choreographed the routine. “We definitely had the hardest stunts,” she said.

One stunt proved particularly challenging, though, and the team suffered a “massive fall.” The three-level stunt was seemingly “hit” (executed). Then, a split second before dismount, one side buckled. Kashmir McLaughlin, on top, dropped straight down from the third level. Jennifer Engebretson fell from the second level. Schlosser watched anxiously from behind: “I was worried for their safety - there were no mats or springboard flooring.” After the performance she learned both girls were injured. One had a tailbone out of alignment, soreness in her joints and possibly a chipped bone. The other had bruises.

Meanwhile, the routine continued. After the fall, said Schlosser, “we got up, went right on, and wowed the crowd.”

The judges were also impressed. The Bethany team was initially awarded first place in their division.

The cheer squad was elated, and also surprised. “Considering that we have been dealing with injuries and illness, and learned the routine very quickly, we did amazing,” said Schlosser.

Unfortunately, as the team posed for pictures with the trophy, officials informed them that a tally mistake had been made. Central Christian College had won first place and Bethany second.

“It was a humbling moment,” said Schlosser. But it didn’t diminish the Bethany achievement.

Along with performing at sporting events, the team has devoted 10-15 hours to practice each week since August.

Technical skills developed. So did camaraderie.

“I remember the first day, when maybe two girls knew each other. Then people immediately start clicking,” said Schlosser. “It becomes a group of friends, where everyone unites - a sisterhood plus guys.”

This is just one of the incentives Schlosser is using as she recruits for next year.

At Bethany, cheerleaders pay nothing to participate. This is extremely rare in college cheerleading, said Schlosser.

Also “unheard of” is a cheer program doing recruiting, she said. Schlosser attends competitions, makes phone calls, travels to sites, and works by word of mouth.

“Right now I have over 150 working recruits,” she said. “There are really some top-notch cheerleaders. I feel like there’s lots of interest. This is something Bethany really has going for them.”

In the future, Schlosser hopes incoming cheerleaders who want to be part of a growing program will help build the talent at Bethany.

Then the team can attend more competitions and perform at a higher level.

“The girls call me ambitious,” said Schlosser. “But if I wasn’t, we wouldn’t be getting better.”

Although the Bethany cheerleading season will end with basketball season, the team will host open gym clinics and prepare for tryouts.