Cue the music: OCU wins 2 national titles

The women’s basketball team and competitive cheerleading squad secured national titles for OCU this year.

"We Are the Champions" by Queen blared through the cafeteria speakers March 27 as Oklahoma City University students, faculty, staff, and guests erupted in thunderous applause. Jim Abbot, the university’s athletic director, strode proudly to the mic.

"It is my great pleasure to introduce to you the OCU Cheer Squad, winner of the FIRST EVER NAIA national championship in competitive cheer and OCU’s 63rd national championship, AND the OCU Women’s Basketball Team, winner of their ninth NAIA Division 1 national championship and OCU’s number 64!"

• On March 11, the university hosted the inaugural NAIA Competitive Cheer Competition, with 24 cheer and dance teams from around the country. The OCU Cheer Squad made history by claiming the national title, scoring 4.15 points higher than the second-place finisher, the University of Saint Francis (Indiana) team. The OCU Pom Squad also did well, finishing fifth in the dance competition.

• On March 21, the No. 2-ranked OCU Women’s Basketball team ran the table at the NAIA national tournament in Billings, Montana, defeating top-ranked Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) for the championship. In addition, OCU’s Daniela Wallen was recognized as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, and OCU coach Bo Overton was named Coach of the Year.

The Stars may claim additional national titles this school year. OCU’s women’s softball and men’s golf teams currently are ranked No. 1 nationally; men’s baseball, No. 2; and women’s golf, No. 3.