Warriors Set Program Performance Record, Finish Fourth In WHAC Championships

Hussein Murray/Rochester University

In front of the Garth Pleasant Arena crowd, Warriors Cheer put on a show, setting a program all-time high score (82.93) in the preliminary rounds en route to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 WHAC Cheer Championships. 

"We knew going in that we had to increase our difficulty and execute everything in order to raise our scores," Head Coach Patti Glenn said. "We increased difficulty in our partner stunts and basket toss, and spent the last two weeks honing in and executing our skills."

In both rounds, the Warriors were able to pull off smooth routines, including some improved stunts from their earlier performance in the Warrior Classic. Rochester took a deduction in their final round performance, but the team persevered and executed the rest of their routine without fail. 

"The team's energy and determination shined through today," Glenn said. "They had a goal today and they achieved it. The way we train in practice is by focusing on one element at a time. If something falls, we quickly recover and move on to the next component of the routine. We do what Warriors do."

For 2023 All-Academic, the Warriors' Sarah Liford and Sera Weaver were selected. Weaver also took home the Warriors' Champions of Character nomination. Liford ended her career with three straight all-academic nods. 

"Sera is one of the kindest, sweetest athletes I've coached, and truly cares about her teammates," Glenn said. "Sarah has earned all-academic in the last three years, and it shows that she knows how to manage being both an athlete and a student."

The Warriors have now wrapped up a historic season, paving the way for more future home competitions as a program. 

(Featured Image: Hanna Swanson/Rochester University)