The Pioneer Competitive Cheer and Dance teams began their seasons last weekend with dance at the Concordia (Mich.) Cardinal Invite and cheer at Lourdes (Ohio) University for a dual meet.

The dance team participated in an exhibition match last semester on Dec. 7 in Michigan, but the invite was the first of four competitive meets prior to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) meet in Montgomery, Ala. at the end of the month.

Aquinas (Mich.) posted a score of 67.5 to secure first place, and the Pioneers were less than a point shy of the leaders. Point Park finished with a score of 66.9 to land in second place with 0.5 points deducted from its routine.

The Pioneers received a score of four out of five from all three judges for musicality, team turn and team leap. The team scored lowest in overall technical skills and executive with scores of three from all three judges.

Concordia finished in third place with 51.8, and Spring Arbor (Mich.) finished last with 24.5.

The cheer team competed most recently on Sunday in Sylvania, Ohio. The Pioneers suffered two losses to the Gray Wolves, 73.05 to 76.5 and 74.15 to 79.1.

The cheer squad will compete in the Student Center Gym this Friday, hosting Mount Vernon Nazarene University and will hit the road the day after to participate in the Marian Classic Dual Meet. The dance team is back in action on Jan. 25 at the Siena Heights (Mich.) Halo Classic.