Trine University cheerleaders celebrate after a victory in November 2010 on Shive Field.

Cheerleaders heading to national contest

ANGOLA, Ind. — An elite group of Trine University cheerleaders will compete in their inaugural competition season with Cheer LTD and CanAm Nationals Saturday, March 19, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The public can get a free sneak preview of the squad’s routine Sunday, March 13, at 4 p.m. in Hershey Hall on Trine’s main campus in Angola.

Trine will cheer against small, co-ed collegiate teams from around the country. The team learned the choreography in November and has been practicing four days a week, three hours at a time, since January. The routine consists of difficult moves set to hip-hop, techno and classic rock tunes.

“This is the first year Trine has competed at the national level, and this was entirely a squad decision to take on this challenge,” said cheer coach Kasey Jones. “The cheerleaders competing at this event were hand-picked. They are the best of the best.”

Trine cheerleaders heading to the event include juniors Bryan Chuprinko of Centurburg, Ohio, and Zac Cunningham of Bourbon, sophomores Jay Carey of Plano, Texas, Mike Connors of Niles, Mich., Coty Crawford of Fremont, Matt Dent of Delphi, Elizabeth “Bizz” Fisher of Medina, Ohio, Brittany Slone of Kendallville and Kaylee Ozug of Morocco, and freshmen Kelsey Bartrom of Huntington, Kylene Coate of Fort Wayne, Brittany Minnich of Convoy, Ohio, Calyn Rowley of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Samantha Hunter of Gas City and Samuel Montes of Attica. Freshman Tony Laing of West Terre Haute is an alternate, and senior Jordin Zienta of Fremont is also serving as a coach. 

“The cheerleaders are excited about attending this event and really need the support of the campus and community,” Jones said. “We hope everyone can attend our dress rehearsal on March 13 and give us an opportunity to perform. You won’t be disappointed.”