When most students thought about finals week approaching last month, the competitive cheer and dance teams geared up for their first competition of the season. The Pioneers opened their seasons on Dec. 7, at Concordia (Mich.) University ahead of winter break.

The dance team started the season on a high note, winning both duals of the night with no point deductions. The Pioneers topped the Cardinals 92-58 in the first meeting and 88-55 in the second.

The team received near perfect scores from the judges for their first showing. The Pioneers fell just four points short of their previous score in the second dual.

The judging sheets showed decreases in jazz, pom and hip hop scores in the second half of the competition. Point Park scored highly in other areas including staging and transitions, choreography and technical skills and execution.

On the other hand, the cheer team started its season on a sour note. The Pioneers will enter this weekend’s competitions with two losses under their belts.

Point Park also competed in two duals against the Cardinals and did not score above 76 in either meeting. Concordia defeated the Pioneers 80-76 and 82-76, respectively. While the green and gold impressed the judges with showmanship and choreography, the Cardinals outshone in execution and difficulty level.

Both teams will be back in action this weekend on Friday at Concordia for a second match-up against the Cardinals as well as Lourdes (Ohio) University.

The Pioneers will compete in the first home meet in program history and their only local competition this Sunday at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa., against Lourdes and Aquinas College.