"Today didn't go quite as we had hoped. After back-to-back 0-deduction routines, we unfortunately left RIT with a couple of building falls in our single series section. That paired with less than perfect baskets and last-minute adjustments this week due to unexpected team changes resulted in a second place finish, with Gannon placing first. 

I think the whole team recognized when we walked off that mat that this wasn't what we are capable of. We have spent the last couple of weeks upgrading our stunts, some of which were successful today and some that were not. I know that they are fully capable of hitting them all but that didn't happen in our two minutes to show off today. For whatever reason, there were some jitters in warmups that perhaps extended onto the competition mats. We will keep working on navigating those mental frameworks for the end of our season. 

However, I am proud of all of those who have stepped out of their comfort zones in so many ways to adjust in preparation for Daytona. Base and tumbler Deana Sanchez (Thiells, NY/North Rockland) is flying for the first time in a basket with brave bases, Chloe Fox (Cohocton, NY/Wayland-Cohocton), Chealyn Howard (Rochester, NY/Gates Chili) and Danni Chudy (Portville, NY/Portville Central). Brynne Livelsberger (Gilbertsville, NY/Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School) has stepped into the same stunt group for single series and they're all working tirelessly to make things work. Ruby Kavanagh (Queens, NY/LaGuardia High School of Music & Art) has also hopped out of her base and tumbling role to support our pyramid as a flyer (with bases Tanila Lane (Rochester, NY/Joseph C. Wilson Magnet) and Danni Chudy) this week. Malena Mason (Groton, NY/Groton Central) has also returned to basing from injury popping back in with ease. Lily Gowie (Rensselaer, NY/Columbia), with bases Hannah Wiatrowski (Bolivar, NY/Bolivar-Richburg), Ruby Kavanagh and Praise Simmons has worked through fears related to double twisting baskets, while Averill Hollond (Linwood, KS/Basehor-Linwood), with bases Alexa Robbins (Avoca, NY/Canisteo-Greenwood), Austynn Sherwood (Bradford, PA/Bradford Area) and Izzy Santella (Middleport, NY/Royalton Hartland) have successfully added a full down from their arabesque. 

Those kinds of adjustments are noteworthy and highlight the versatility we see all over in this team of athletes. It's a bummer that those character traits weren't rewarded today, but the motivation and drive is in full gear moving into our last week and a half of practices before we compete at Nationals in Daytona."

The Saxons will next travel to Daytona, FL for the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College National Championships, April 10-13.
 

--Swords Forward Saxons--