Upland, Ind. — Competitive cheer doesn't ask if you're ready. It simply calls your name and expects you to answer. On Saturday afternoon at Taylor University, the Aquinas Saints answered the call the only way this program knows how — with grit, unity, and a refusal to make excuses. Shorthanded. Adjusted. Repositioned. And still rising. Because that's what Saints do. They don't flinch. They adapt, they trust each other, and they take the mat believing that culture carries you when circumstances try to shake you.
Final Score
1. Indiana Wesleyan – 90.7
2. Taylor – 90.23
3. Spring Arbor – 84.2
4. Mobile – 83.73
5. Georgetown – 81.75
6. Bethel – 74.57
7. Saint Francis – 71.27
8. Aquinas – 63.5
Saints Step Up Amid Changes
The week leading into Taylor was anything but routine. Multiple adjustments had to be made, including placing an athlete into a brand-new role as flyer. Instead of scaling back belief, the Saints leaned into preparation.
Regan Gorski stepped into the flyer position and delivered. She hit every stunt, every toss, every pyramid element — steady, confident, composed. It was a major midweek adjustment that became a major competitive positive.
The Saints also welcomed back Elle Gathercole, who was medically cleared Friday after being sidelined for five months due to injury. Five months away from the mat — and she returned with poise and beautiful tumbling, providing both execution and emotion to the routine. Having her back wasn't just strategic. It was meaningful.
Despite intentionally lowering overall stunt difficulty due to the changes, Aquinas outperformed expectations on the scoresheet. Their pyramids hit cleanly, earning the highest execution score of the season — a direct reflection of detail, timing, and trust within the group.
Aquinas did incur a five-point penalty for competing with fewer than the mandated number of athletes on the mat — a deduction that significantly impacted the final score. The hope is to return to full strength for conference finals, eliminate the penalty, clean the routine, and reintroduce added difficulty in pursuit of the highest team score of the year.
Coach's Comment
After the competition, Coach Sue Smith was proud of her squad.
"Nothing stops this team. They rise up to any challenge and do an exceptional job," Smith said. "Regan Gorski took the mat in a new position as flyer and hit everything. Elle Gathercole was back on the mat tonight after an injury took her out for five months and her tumbling was beautiful. We're so happy to have her back. Every athlete performed with excellence, and the scores and comments from the judges reflected their efforts."
Also competing for the Saints were Ayla Schneider, Caroline Voorheis, Jason Sanden, Justin Mielke, Mackenzie Rennells, and Nicole Bertone — each contributing to a routine built on trust, accountability, and shared belief.
Looking Ahead
Now the focus shifts home and the post-season.
The Saints will host the WHAC Conference Championship at the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center on Saturday, March 7. It will be a day-long showcase of conference excellence — and an opportunity for Aquinas to tighten execution, elevate difficulty, and show what this group looks like at full strength on its own floor.
The event will be streamed live on the AQ Saints YouTube Network. Check the AQ Cheerleading schedule for updated start times.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, full coverage, and postgame recaps from around Aquinas Athletics.
