This weekend was a busy one for the competitive cheer team, having two competitions over the course of two days.

“I’m really happy with how [this weekend] turned out for us,” senior Keera Frye said. “Getting to compete at home, placing 3rd at Marian and getting good scores altogether made this weekend a success, and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

On Friday, Point Park swept visiting team Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) in a dual competition in the Student Center gym. The two teams went head-to-head three times in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) match.

The Pioneers won the first round with a score of 89.33 to 62.67. All three judges gave the team a perfect ten in showmanship. They also scored tens for their basket tosses and jumps in round one.

Round two was also a success for the Pioneers with a score of 88.83 to 56.55.

For the last round, the Pioneers finished out their sweep by scoring a 89.33, compared to MVNU’s score of 66.17.

With these three performances, the team improved their season scoring average into the 80s.

“It was definitely super exciting because our friends and families could come watch us compete,” freshman Angie Lucchino said. “Just having people there to support us gets our adrenaline going.”

After those wins, the team traveled to the Marian Classic on Saturday. They competed in another NAIA meet that featured seven teams.

The Pioneers participated in both meets that were held that day. In the first, the Pioneers scored 72.3, placing fourth.

Point Park was the only team in the top five that was not a national qualifier last year.

In the second meet of the day, the team moved up to third place with a score of 72.60, despite a .25-point deduction.

“This competition was exactly what the team needed. We all bonded and came together both on and off the mat,” junior Riley Norman said. “We encouraged each other when we were down and congratulated when were up. I believe now we are beyond ready for our last regular season competition and on to regionals.”

Point Park’s next meet will be on Feb. 2 at the Aquinas Saints Showdown. This will be their final competition before NAIA regionals.

After this off week, the dance team competes next Saturday at the Siena Heights Halo Classic.