After placing second in the 2025 NAIA Division National Tournament, the Missouri Baptist community was surprised to learn there will be no stunt season this spring.
“MBU stunt has made it to nationals every single year since we started the program,” said senior captain Vashti Altheide. “So the fact that we didn’t do a season at all this year was shocking for a lot of people.”
While various factors influenced the decision, the team ultimately lacked adequate numbers to compete.
“To even be eligible to score points, you need a bare minimum of 15 or 16 athletes,” Altheide said.
By Christmas break, the stunt roster had dwindled to 12.
While there will be no stunt season, the athletes will continue to compete in cheerleading.
For the first time in school history, the all-girl cheer and stunt teams have merged into one program.
“We’re focusing on cheer this season, so we do your basketball games and also compete at NCA Nationals in Daytona, Florida,” Director of Spirit and head coach Emilee Mitchell said.
The team will enter a new division called the Spirit Rally Division, which consists of a cheer section, small chant and a band chant.
The goal is to bring the judges into a traditional gameday atmosphere using simple yet clean cheerleading skills.
“By going into this division, we are setting them up for success because we want to hit confidently,” Mitchell said.
As for stunt, the team views the season as an opportunity to rebuild, strengthening fundamental skills and recruiting fresh talent.
“We want to lay a firm foundation, so whatever we put up, we want to make sure it represents MBU, our program, our culture and our talent,” Mitchell said.
Contrary to popular belief, stunt the sport is vastly different from cheerleading.
Games can last up to an hour, with four quarters of head-to-head competition, including partner stunts, pyramids and tosses, jumps and tumbling, and a team routine.
In addition to elite athleticism, Mitchell prioritizes a faith-driven culture.
“I want the girls to have a Christ-centered experience,” Mitchell said. “Being a stable coach that loves the Lord is so important, especially at the collegiate level…I want them to have an experience that I personally never had.”
Amidst the adversity, the team has come together and remains optimistic about the future.
“This is only my second year on the team and we have been through a lot,” said sophomore base Brooke Hinton. “But I truly feel closer to my teammates recently because of it.”
The cheer team will compete at NCA Nationals from April 8 to April 12.
