The St. Ambrose Dance and Cheer teams officially kicked off the start of their NAIA competitive season at the Thresher Invitational hosted by Bethel Saturday.

The SAU Dance Team won both rounds of competition. In the first round, their score of 89.79 was more than four points better than second-place Oklahoma City (85.45). The SAU White Squad placed third in the nine-team event with a score of 80.70.

The Bees upped their score in the second round featuring seven total teams, posting a total of 91.83. Oklahoma City was again runner-up, earning a score of 85.54. Bethel took third and the SAU White Squad was fourth.

SAU Dance Team members were Maddy Barnes, Lilly Bonnet, Shea Denahy, Annika Foit, Morgan Ford, Sydnie Offermann, Sara Gundacker, Grace Harms, Torrin Heritage, Madelyn Hohe, Hadley Irwin, Karsyn Kuffler, Karli Langley, Brooklyn McBride, Emma Schoonover and Maggie Schreiber. Evie Miller was the alternate.

The four-team cheer competition was extremely close. The top three teams in each round compiled a score of at least 88.

Oklahoma City won both rounds, earning scores of 92.90 and 91.75. Saint Mary was second (90.38 and 91.28) and St. Ambrose placed third (88.63 and 90.60).

Participants for the SAU Cheer Team were Teylar Chatman, Ryan Czech, JP Elder, Chloe Fulcher, Graysen Gerlinger, Amira Glenn, Mikal Honeycutt, Sydnee Horstman, Alanna Lang, Jesse Lopez, Taye Owten, Donovan Peck, Reese Puleo, Ryan Russo, Abi Grace Sayavongsa, Haley Scholbrock, Savannah Schumacher, Jaylen Taylor and RJ Woods. Sydney Hughes and Ethan Trevino were the alternates.

SAU Dance and Cheer will compete at the Grand View Viking Challenge next Sunday.