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Feb. 19, 2002
CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University cheerleading program captured three titles at the United Spirit Association National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 10 and 11. This was the first national competition for the program in school history.
Oregon State edged Long Beach State University and the University of Texas-El Paso in team competition. The team includes Lindsey Armstrong of Albany, Nathan Bauer of Keizer, Joshua Blackburn of Tillamook, Paul Brakora of Klamath Falls, Winston Burbank of Fairbanks, Alaska, Nate Dawson of Aurora, Tori Fordice of Hermiston, Brian Holcomb, Eric Mahame, and Sara Winkelman of Corvallis, Andrea Iverson of Boise, Chris Krieger of Klamath Falls, Adam Clay and Shauna Smith of Eugene, Margarita McCready of Roseburg, Allison Pallotta of Jacksonville, Kasey Schaffer of Gresham, David Schwendiman of Kenmore, Wash., Alexis Smalley of Glendora, Calif., Roy Tate of Lebanon, Ben Turner of Portland, and Kallie Yamane of Olympia, Wash.
"My goal was for Oregon State to be competitive at the national championships," head coach Amber Bezates, a former national championship team member at Morehead State University, said. "This competition is an avenue for teams around the country to showcase their skills and dedication. This is a very well deserved honor."
Mahame, a graduate of Crescent Valley High School, and Shaffer teamed up to capture the partner stunt competition. While OSU's school mascot, Benny Beaver, captured the mascot competition.
The five judge panel awards marks for competition based on choreography, showmanship, difficulty, and execution.
